TTC #1 over 35

I tested and- shock horror- it was negative

Bless you @HollyGolightly4, I had period-like pain and back ache at 9DPO (and same in my very first pregnancy!), but no bleeding and that's why I tested. I have short cycles of 26-28 days with the odd outlier of 30 days very, very occasionally, but I knew when I ovulated and that I wasn't due on for another 3/4 days. It would have been a 22 day cycle.

I'm on 9 DPO and I don't know whether to test today. Its also cycle day 27 (mine vary between 27-31) and I feel periody- there's just no other way to describe it 😢

Hi @Screenburn I wasn't tracking in November, so the way I did it then was to go by when I thought I'd ovulated, then count on 9 days from the latest day I thought ovulation might have been. I usually test at 9DPO as that's when I know I've had implantation before.

So, for this pregnancy, I did track ovulation and know I ovulated day 13, so I tested 9 days later on CD22. If you want to avoid any false positives, you could count on the full 14 days from when you think you ovulated. So, for example, if you think you ovulated on day 17 and you usually have a 29/30 day cycle, you could test from CD28/29. If you wanted to test earlier, you could test CD26/27 earliest. Or, as Caroline says, you could just wait for AF.

I always test early as I have had recurrent miscarriages and the loss of any pregnancy is physically very painful for me. For many people, very early pregnancy loss is like a period, but for me, I get full body contractions. First time it happened was the middle of the night in my first pregnancy and I would never want to wake up with that pain not knowing I'm pregnant already or I'd end up in A&E.

Personally I wouldn't test yet, just because a negative will make you feel sad but it could be a false negative, even if it is a true negative you have longer to wait until af. I feel better when cd1 arrived again and I can start the cycle rather than keep
Waiting for af.

When I wasn’t sure if my cycle, I started by tested 2nd urine of the day every day from the finish of AF

Can anyone help me figure out when to start testing? Stupid question I know but I’m so confused (and impatient)!!

Not 100% sure when I ovulated as I wasn’t using the OPKs at that point but it was either CD14, 16 or 17 based on symptoms. I’m now CD24, with an average cycle length (I think!) of 29 or 30 days.

I should probably just wait for AF, shouldn’t I…?!

No @Clara202 The next nearest hospital is over an hour away and it's just not possible with work. We don't have any family support and we share a car, so just wouldn't be feasible for the amount of appointments I'll have.

I also need to stay where my bereavement midwife is as she's handled all my referrals to the relevant consultants and is basically my advocate for this pregnancy. It have to start afresh elsewhere and it's already clear how little credence they give to passed losses, I can't go through having to explain it to a host more consultants and bereavement people. You can't really transfer bereavement care.

Oops pressed send too quick.

@BabyTin2025 Insemination is a very valid method and I'd say the 'how long' would be from whenever you decided to interact unprotected from sperm in any capacity 😄. The NHS are actually looking into providing insemination kits as a first response to people who are struggling with fertility as it has a decent success rate. Taking the pressure off can do wonders and whatever works for you is the best way.

@Clara202 My hospital's policy is not to provide medication until a scan has been done to confirm the pregnancy is in the right place, and they won't scan before 6 weeks (they actually insist on booking the scan at 7 weeks). My bereavement midwife has contacted the recurrent miscarriage consultant, and the premature birth consultant as well to see if she can get a prescription from either of them.

My progesterone was tested (by accident, I didn't know I was pregnant when I had the blood test) during my last pregnancy and it was actually much higher than usual, so I'm not too worried about progesterone. I'm more concerned about baby aspirin or blood thinners because I've been tested for blood clotting disorders in relation to my second trimester loss and the results haven't come back yet. The care at my hospital is abysmal, and I'm not looking forward to having to fight them every step of the way.

It gets you like that 💐💐💐

It’s strange isn’t it! Can’t be a nice feeling being on tenterhooks the whole time.

I feel like I’m being negative about myself here but I have literally 0 expectations anymore as I’m always disappointed 😞 xx

@BabyTin2025 I've never met anyone else who had a normal period with pregnancy- I did too. Ended in miscarriage at 13 weeks. 😢 It means I don't feel I can relax from testing, even though I know I'm not pregnant 😢😢😢 xxx

Well the ‘how long’ is not an easy question - DH has ED and we haven’t had PS in 2 years so we’re using at home insemination using his swimmers 🙈 it’s a a whole can of worms which is causing a lot of inner conflict for me.

In other news, pretty sure I’m out as I’m almost certain AF has reared her head. I only say pretty sure as I had a normal period with my last and only pregnancy. (Ended in MMC with D&C)

I am holding out so much hope for you my lovely! 🥰 xxx

Bless you @BabyTin2025 It's an absolute roller coaster, isn't it? How long have you been trying?

AF is due tomorrow for me, though I usually spot for a couple of days beforehand. Tests are looking okay, I think, this morning. I'm terrified of another chemical/very early loss or MMC early on, so we are just holding on for dear life waiting, waiting, waiting. Probably another 9-10 weeks of waiting if not a chemical/ very early loss

Thank you honey. I really hope it’s a good sign for me because I’m losing heart - I know that’s probably so defeatist but it’s really difficult isn’t it to be on the TTC train.

I’m CD 23, 9DPO not due for 5 days so I’d say I wouldn’t regard the spotting as close enough to be my period unless it starts early.

I am hoping your period doesn’t come either lovely - are you due on soon? Xx

I tested because I woke up with back ache and mild period-like cramps. Hardly any CM either! Obvs, still time for my period to arrive (hopefully it won't), but not had any spotting. You never know, could be a good sign for you 🤞

Thank you. I’ve mentally prepared myself for my period.

I just wish it would arrive so we can move on and begin a new cycle 😩.

My cycles have been on average 29 days and the one month we start trying it’s longer… typical 😂.

I've had brown spotting before @EEB1989 and it was the start of my period. Sorry to say it 😥. It felt like my mind was playing tricks on me- I'm usually all in too. I read somewhere online that spotting is the start of your period if it occurs leading up to it.

However, you could be totally different and it's a wise move to test on Saturday. Sending 💐 and 🤞 for you.

I’ve been lurking on here but not posted yet. I’m 35 and we’re TTC our first. DH is 36.

December was our first cycle, I’m currently 3 days late BUT I ovulated cycle day 20 and was due my period CD29. So technically I’m not late, my period would usually be late if I ovulated late.

I tested at 11DPO but it was BFN. I had really bad cramps at 9DPO but nothing since. For the last two days I’ve had brown discharge/spotting which I never have before AF. I’m usually all or nothing.

Have any of you ladies had this before? I’m going to test on Saturday morning if AF doesn’t show - I’ll be CD36 and I never have cycles that long. I’ve tracked for two years and my longest is 34.

I’m going crazy here in limbo, convinced AF is on the way. If it is, I just want it to hurry up so we can try again.

Exactly the same, 9dpo and really like pink when wiping today. I know that it me out.
But if you want some hope I spotted on 8-9dpo with a previous cycle and was pregnant, that particular time it was implantation bleeding 🤷🏻‍♀️

Hope everyone has had a good day! I think I’m out. CD 23 only 9 dpo and I’ve got what could be period stuff starting. I went to the loo and when I wiped it was pink. Little to no CM and honestly my back is killing me. Please fill me with false hope haha and had anyone
had these clearly period related things and still got a BFP? X