To worry I will never be a mama

[pearlsandpetals]

Hi all, this is my first post on Mumsnet so please be nice!

I am 27 and trying to conceive my first child with my partner of four years. We have been trying for over a year now and had no luck so far. I strongly suspect that my long cycles (approximately 35-50 days) have hindered our chances over the past year. We paid to have some tests done at a private clinic and whilst my partner's sample came back pretty much fine, we found out that I had slightly polycystic ovaries but normal hormone levels. We are planning on starting clomid when my next cycle begins, but I can't help but feel so pessimistic about our whole experience and what is in store for us. I have a bad feeling that I will never be a mother.

Any advice or positive stories would be greatly appreciated.

xxx

Can I recommend the conception topic on here? There are so many knowledgeable posters on there who have been through exactly what you're going through. There are lots of lovely supportive ongoing threads, who know all the things to do and look out for.
Good luck!

@KrakowDawn

Can I recommend the conception topic on here? There are so many knowledgeable posters on there who have been through exactly what you're going through. There are lots of lovely supportive ongoing threads, who know all the things to do and look out for. Good luck!

Thank you, I have reposted there :)

I have pcos and metformin has changed my life. I'm still not pregnant but I've lost weight (which in itself will help) I now have regular 28-29 day cycle and also bleed for a little bit longer, up from two days maximum.
Clomid made me ovulate but still didn't conceive, but this was before the metformin and vitamins.
I take folic acid and vitamin d and just had an egg collection for ivf, 11 mature eggs and 9 embryos. So what I'm trying to say is take vitamins! my egg quality has vastly improved and I also think the metformin has made a big difference

Sorry that was meant to say 16 mature eggs !

Definitely head to the Conception board, there are so many helpful threads there.

If you are overweight, losing weight can definitely help. Low carb and/or intermittent fasting is meant to be particularly good for PCOS.

As for positive stories, I was diagnosed with PCOS while TTC 5ish years ago. I had a BMI around 34 at the time. Lost a stone while waiting to go to fertility clinic. Got pregnant on my second cycle of Clomid, DS1 is now 4. Started TTC half-heartedly again when he was about 18 months, fully expecting to have to try for another year then go back for more Clomid, as my cycles were still very irregular. I continued trying to lose weight, went up and down but got another stone off eventually, and then got pregnant naturally with DS2 who is now 19 months old!

I don't want any more children so fertility is no longer my concern, but I've continued to lose weight for health reasons. I've lost over 20kg since my heaviest and my BMI is now 27ish - still a way to go but a great improvement. And my periods are much more regular and I feel better in myself. Good luck!

What is your BMI? Many women find that adjusting weight down or up has an effect on fertility when other issues have been ruled out.

I also have PCOS and had periods although not always regular. I was trying for 16 months before I feel pregnant with my LG so don't lose hope!! Since then myself and my OH decided to try for another baby middle of last year knowing it could take a while to fall pregnant and I fell pregnant in the first month!! I couldn't believe it. If you haven't already have a look at taking inofolic (it's a supplement) which I was taking when I conceived second time round. I haven't read the posts on this thread so sorry if someone has already recommended this and I'm repeating. Good luck!

I'll pray for you. Sounds creepy but it can't hurt.

Hi @pearlsandpetals I know how hard it is but the fact that you are starting clomifene is a positive and it’s good news that everything is fine with your partner.

I was trying for two years before I got pregnant, I’m currently 29 weeks pregnant with a baby girl. My cycles were ridiculous, normally between 50-90 days and so I was prescribed metformin and clomifene. I never actually got my cycle under 35 days, even on clomifene or metformin. My first two rounds had confirmed ovulation but no pregnancy, the third round didn’t work and then the fourth round was when I fell pregnant. Fingers crossed that it is successful for you 😊❤️. These threads are always nice to have a chat when you’re down and just need someone to listen xx

OP do not despair! There are lots of things that can be done so that you will get your dream. I’m sure lots of other mumsnetters will agree that sometimes these things take time and what works for one person won’t work for another. Losing weight with pcos is hard but important. Even just a 10% loss can make a difference to ovulation and hormones. Clomid works for many women, with or without metformin. You may be offered a laparoscopy where your ovaries can be ‘drilled’. This makes you ovulate properly for approximately 6 months. (This worked for me!). Dietary changes and vitamins for conception for both of you are essential. Then of course there is follicle tracking, scans, ivf or icsi if needed. Please don’t feel defeated, you are early on your fertility journey and every cycle brings hope. Don’t put your life on hold while ttc, I did this and as the years ticked by I realised I’d missed out on lots of opportunities just in case I fell pregnant.

Good luck!

Please don't despair. I was similar to you, though cycles were nearly non existent due to PCoS. I was able to get pregnant after 4 cycles on clomid and I got regular cycles (and had DD) soon after DS was born. Keep positive stories like this in your head and fingers crossed. X

I had polycystic ovaries and normal hormone levels and took Metformin and got pregnant and although the first pregnancy was an ectopic and I lost a tube, on Metformin I managed to conceive with one tube..I never thought I'd be a mum. There is so much they can do. You.are.in the early stages.
I am.not sure.if it did anything but I also took a supplement, called myova.