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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

TTC #1 over 35

611 replies

Clara202 · 16/12/2024 18:43

As the title suggests, if you’re over 35 and TTC your first, I’d love to hear from you! Would be nice to hear from a few of us in the same boat 🙂

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19
Nosejug · 13/02/2025 09:11

Oh goodness I'm so sorry to hear about your miscarriage. I had one at ten weeks but knew from 6 so I had time. That must have been extremely difficult, I'm sorry.

Do you guys have any known issues? (I suppose that's what you're hoping treatment will discover?) we have low morphology and my age as factors (applied at 36). I managed to receive two nhs rounds of treatment (ivf with icsi) which took a long time to happen, but once you're in, you're in. I have v low amh so only got 4 eggs in total over the two treatments, and don't think I'll be funded again (waiting to hear, have a plan). My only pregnancy was after a failed round which is probably why I'm extra anxious about trying this cycle. If you've any questions about ivf or whatever I'm happy to share. Some of the tests (eg. hycosy) actually aid fertility so push for everything. Good luck with the first scan.

HollyGolightly4 · 12/02/2025 20:37

Yes, I'm hoping so (funding 🤞). We've been trying for nearly three years. Miscarriage at 13 weeks in Feb 23 and nothing since then.

Nosejug · 12/02/2025 19:21

How long have you been trying @HollyGolightly4 ? I tried to scroll back but couldn't see. I'm always so surprised I have the ability to hope again with each new cycle. Are you getting scans and bloods done pre-fertility treatment?

HollyGolightly4 · 12/02/2025 17:06

21st Feb, then consultation a few weeks after. I just had a bit of a stupid hope that it would reveal I was pregnant if that makes sense?! It is a tough one. Thanks!

Original poster
Clara202 · 12/02/2025 15:19

When is your ultrasound @HollyGolightly4?
CD1 is always a tough one x

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HollyGolightly4 · 12/02/2025 12:31

Period started. Just feel absolutely helpless and really angry at the world. I've got an NHS ultrasound booked in though, so small steps of progress.

Nosejug · 12/02/2025 09:23

I've but my thermometer back on the bedside table! Will follow your alarm clock method @Clara202 :)

Would it be ok to post my test strips to get some other opinions? I was sure my peak was SunPM and MonAM, but I'd have expected my lh to drop back down to pre ovulation level.
They're the only two days that the line is (pretty much) as strong as the control. Maybe my body is still trying to regulate after ivf comedown. Maybe I'm overthinking things. Sorry if I'm posting too much. Probably just a bit wired emotionally from ivf etc.

TTC #1 over 35
Original poster
Clara202 · 11/02/2025 15:18

I use an oral bbt thermometer and I keep it next to my phone/alarm on the bedside locker. When the alarm goes off it’s the first thing I see so I remember to do it then. Other than I see it or feel it as I reach for the alarm I would definitely forget to do it. I just said I’d start this month as another possible insight into ovulation.

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Nosejug · 11/02/2025 14:21

@Clara202 I tried doing temping with a bbt thermometer (a cheap one mind) but I'm awfully inconsistent in my testing. Like I'd drink water so my mouth would be cold or drink tea and be hot (or I'd totally forget). (Do you take temp in your mouth too?) I dunno, I couldn't stand all the inconsistency in control. It varied day by day and I gave up (that was right at the start though (3 years ago) and long before I was using pee tests. Maybe I should try again...

Someone right at the start of my journey also told me it was better to try fewer times with the best sample, which suits us as we can't be sure to dtd on command. But others have said the more frequent the better. The only month we got pregnant was a one try as I was away for work and zoomed home for a conjugal visit! So I guess there's way more in it for me than just frequency.

Original poster
Clara202 · 11/02/2025 11:57

@Nosejug I think we can ask anything at this stage 😂 We can try lots but I was worried about trying too much too early if I’m still days away. First cycle using cheapies alongside CB. I’m surprised it’s as strong as it is against a flashing CB. We’ll dtd after work and I’ll test again, I think the opk is meant to be as dark and as thick as the control line which it isn’t but it doesn’t look far off. Do you do temping? This is my first month trying that also

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Nosejug · 11/02/2025 11:39

@Clara202 That's as strong a result as I'd expect from my own ovulation sticks. I haven't used the digital cb (too ££) so I don't know when I'd get my smiley. I had my 'peak' sun pm/mon am. I'd be trying if I were you. Are you able to try lots or is it a target practice? (If that's ok to ask)

Original poster
Clara202 · 11/02/2025 11:17

Cycle Day 10 and I think I’m about to ovulate early. Cramps have arrived, ewcm, I have a flashing smiley on digital and I have attached my temp and cheapie opks. Could I still have a few days left or is ovulation happening early? It was day 15-20 in previous cycles.

TTC #1 over 35
TTC #1 over 35
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Nosejug · 10/02/2025 09:32

Oh I must have missed the message, congrats to @EEB1989 too!

@Sleepypixxie after three years ttc, including ivf and a spontaneous pregnancy then mmc, it actually amazes me how my body really does know what to do. Like it knew how to get pregnant and then to miscarry, and knows how to regulate again after crazy amounts of hormone injections. It's cool learning that you do indeed have the instructions for life. I had started to doubt it! Sorry to read about your chemical. Everything I've read says that having a chemical one cycle in no way indicates you'll have it again in another. Will be sending your bean positive energetic thoughts!

I'm still peaking/reaching peak right now (I'm just using the boots strip tests) and we actually managed to dtd twice yesterday and will try again tonight so hopefully that's covering the window.

I had to meet up with a friend who got pregnant at the same time as me last oct. I handled it pretty well but the next morning was waking up early with my brain totally fixated on the image of her beautiful bump. I always think I'm fine but my brain is clearly whirring in the background. It gives me hope though that she's 40 and everything's been very smooth.

Sleepypixxie · 09/02/2025 23:47

Screenburn · 09/02/2025 21:15

Congrats @EEB1989 and @Sleepypixxie on your BFPs! @HollyGolightly4 think you and I are kinda cycle twins, keeping fingers crossed that your cramping is not AF 🤞

Has anyone any experience with spotting? I’ve never had it before but just went to loo and had very small spots of red when wiping - nothing like AF but from googling it’s not like implantation bleeding either. So can’t figure out what it is 😐

Thank you! I actually had mid-cycle spotting this month for the first time & a week later got a faint bfp. I didn’t get spotting last month when I had my chemical, and tbh I convinced myself this month the spotting was just my body still sorting itself out from that…but the test suggests otherwise! I’m still a bit dubious though after last month’s experience so just seeing what happens. Sending lots of luck to everyone for this month ✨

Sleepypixxie · 09/02/2025 23:38

Nosejug · 09/02/2025 19:01

Also congratulations @Sleepypixxie on your bfp! Such an amazing feeling to see that second line. I'm also in Scotland and should probably consider upping that vitamin D 🌞

Thank you! I’m not getting my hopes up at the moment after my chemical last month, just hope my body knows what it’s doing because I sure don’t! 😅

carolinep3 · 09/02/2025 21:38

Clara202 · 09/02/2025 21:34

@carolinep3 so when there’s a flashing smiley you’d think that was the better time rather than the static? We’re attempting every second day this week so far, I’m cycle day 8 at the moment.

Flashing smiley just means your estrogen is rising, you could have that for upto 5 days depends on your body. Maybe this will help you

TTC #1 over 35
Screenburn · 09/02/2025 21:36

Clara202 · 09/02/2025 21:32

@Screenburn I did. I had it for 3 days then a week later I got my period.

Ah thanks @Clara202 - this is probably the same then as I’m due AF in 6/7 days.

Original poster
Clara202 · 09/02/2025 21:34

@carolinep3 so when there’s a flashing smiley you’d think that was the better time rather than the static? We’re attempting every second day this week so far, I’m cycle day 8 at the moment.

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Original poster
Clara202 · 09/02/2025 21:32

@Screenburn I did. I had it for 3 days then a week later I got my period.

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Screenburn · 09/02/2025 21:15

Congrats @EEB1989 and @Sleepypixxie on your BFPs! @HollyGolightly4 think you and I are kinda cycle twins, keeping fingers crossed that your cramping is not AF 🤞

Has anyone any experience with spotting? I’ve never had it before but just went to loo and had very small spots of red when wiping - nothing like AF but from googling it’s not like implantation bleeding either. So can’t figure out what it is 😐

HollyGolightly4 · 09/02/2025 19:31

Thanks everyone, v helpful. I've had cramps today 😔

Nosejug · 09/02/2025 19:05

Thanks @carolinep3 for pointing this out. Weird that in all my years of trying I hadn't yet read about the 10hr "capacitation" process! Many thanks

Nosejug · 09/02/2025 19:01

Also congratulations @Sleepypixxie on your bfp! Such an amazing feeling to see that second line. I'm also in Scotland and should probably consider upping that vitamin D 🌞

carolinep3 · 09/02/2025 18:59

Nosejug · 09/02/2025 18:58

Oh interesting @carolinep3 ! I thought once peak was reached then the egg was released (over the next 12 hrs). That's good to know, and actually we dtd today and I'll test again this evening to check the rise. Nice to know my body is back in charge.

Peak means egg will be released In the next 12-36 hrs, but sperm will still take time to get there. Slightly better chance if sperm is already there waiting, sperm can live upto 5 days.

Nosejug · 09/02/2025 18:58

Oh interesting @carolinep3 ! I thought once peak was reached then the egg was released (over the next 12 hrs). That's good to know, and actually we dtd today and I'll test again this evening to check the rise. Nice to know my body is back in charge.