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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

Vitamins, no caffeine, no stress (ha ha) - anything else?

29 replies

WhereDidMyBrainGo · 09/02/2012 09:38

I used to know this stuff . . .

As I'm ancient (really ancient - so ancient this probably won't work), I need to get cracking . . .

extra folic acid - done
pregnacare vitamins - done
SMEP - doing

no caffeine
good diet
smoking - never have
alcohol - not a drop

stress - pretending there's none of that

but - what about specific extra vitamins?
any foods I need to increase/decrease?

Also - my cycle is short these days, 24/25 days. Is that a problem? I ovulate between day 7 and 10 usually.

I know that the main thing is my age (think old, then add some), but I just want to give this my best shot for a few months. I have been trying, but there's always that feeling that I'm not trying hard enough . . . Sad

OP posts:
ArielNonBio · 09/02/2012 10:46

I've heard good things about Raw Food. All raw and organic! And avoiding all processed stuff. Sounds dull as shit, but you could give it a go.

If you ovulate early but have a normal length luteal phase i.e. over 10 days, then I believe that's not a problem.

lola4lee · 09/02/2012 13:39

I've been reading a good book for all that advice on whats best to eat (lots of meditation but that can be ignored) called 'my pregnancy companion', its got advice for all stages ttc to birth and breast feeding.

Best of luck with it .

farfallarocks · 09/02/2012 16:14

Hi dose B vits are very good for egg quality if you are concerned about that (you mention age)

Lots of sex, Wink

Good luck!

p.s. a bit of booze is relaxing

Original poster
WhereDidMyBrainGo · 09/02/2012 19:29

How high is high dose farfallarocks?

And yes, my egg quality is about - zilch I'd imagine!

(How much red wine can I get away with?)

OP posts:
ArielNonBio · 09/02/2012 19:32

Do you mind me asking me what is your actual age, OP?

I take a B vitamin 50mg complex. I hadn't heard about it improving egg quality, but lengthening luteal phase. It hasn't got me up the duff yet though Hmm It seems nothing will

Original poster
WhereDidMyBrainGo · 09/02/2012 21:44

Ariel - I'll tell you if you tell me!

  1. Just though (like that makes any difference!)

God, that looks even worse written down.

OP posts:
JamRagRolyPoly · 10/02/2012 07:33

I've been using preseed as I don't have a lot of ewcm and it makes a good environment for the sperm. It's an internal lubricant,

Good luck!

farfallarocks · 10/02/2012 09:48

I take B100, it has lengthened my luteal phase but I also read about it improving egg quality somewhere, sorry I can't remember where.

I think a couple of glasses of wine 2/3 times a week is fine, especially if it relaxes you. You can;t live in a sterile environment, it could take a while (11 months and counting here.....)

ArielNonBio · 10/02/2012 09:57

Go for it. It's not unheard of - look at Cherie B.

i'm nearly 37. Simply outrageous!

We're trying to give up alcohol. Bloody hard though.

Original poster
WhereDidMyBrainGo · 10/02/2012 19:17

37! I could nearly be your granny . . .

Really, 37 is nothing. I had my last at 39, so you'll get there hoepfully Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
WhereDidMyBrainGo · 10/02/2012 19:18

I mean 'hopefully' . . .

I read somewhere you're more fertile if your typing's crap . . .

OP posts:
ArielNonBio · 10/02/2012 20:11

That must be why my typing is so darn perfect Grin

Original poster
WhereDidMyBrainGo · 11/02/2012 14:18

Does natural progesterone do any good?

OP posts:
Discolite · 11/02/2012 14:43

I got my BFP a couple of weeks ago after trying for 6 months. I was already caffeine and mostly booze free, but what I think did it for us was I started going to the gym again (twice a week) at the start of the cycle and my DP had drastically cut down his alcohol 2 months before. I also had a lot of spotting before AF and a variable LP which I was really worried about but it worked in the end! Hope everything goes well for you.

Fluffycloudland77 · 11/02/2012 15:05

My fil was born when his mum was 47.

I take royal jelly off amazon, it's freeze dried which is apparently better than fresh as the fresh degrades in the capsules. I read on an american site that it improves egg quality.

The zita west book I have says white wine has a really bad effect on women trying to conceive. They dont know why yet just that it's bad.

Avoiding saturated fat is meant to help as is taking a fish oil supplement, the online pharmacies do pregnancare conception with the fish oil cheaper than boots et al.

Cant think of anything else right now....

10000fireflies · 11/02/2012 15:39

WhereDidMyBrainGo you're defo on the right lines. I agree totally with no booze and all the other things you're doing. I followed the top tips from Angelbumps post on 31/01/10. Is interesting reading and she'd certainly done her research. I couldn't work out exactly when to have green tea, so gave up on that so as not to interfere with folic acid. Also, I avoided L-lysine as my own research said bad for pregnancy. Took so many supps a day I rattled, but achieved 'spontaneous' BFP in October 11, despite being 42, with one blocked tube, and two failed IVF cycles earlier that year. Also, don't underestimate your partners, ahem, contribution. DH did his bit too, giving up booze, caffeine, keeping balls cool etc etc. As you really are ancient, you qualify for joining us on the Fantastic 40s thread Grin Come and join us if you like? In the meantime, good luck!!

Fluffy thanks for the top tip on Royal Jelly. Adding that to shopping list for next time!!

vitaminC · 11/02/2012 15:48

Just a lurker here, so hope you don't mind me butting in!

I'm not TTC, but I am a medic, currently working on a research degree focussing on diet and infertility and a lot of the recent research I'm reading seems to point to a strong link between LDL/HDL cholesterol imbalances (dyslipedemia) and IF - in both sexes!

My advice would be to cut out alcohol as much as possible, reduce sugar /white carb intake and try to increase "good fats" such as olive oil, avocado, oily fish...

ArielNonBio · 11/02/2012 19:39

When you say "white carbs" is that stuff white flour in - bread, cakes (waaaaaah!), pasta etc? Or does it include potatoes? Sorry if the question is that of an imbecile Blush

vitaminC · 11/02/2012 19:43

Not a daft question. It means white flour, but also pasta, rice etc. Best to buy wholegrain versions of those products.

Potatoes are ok if eaten with their skins (i.e. new or jacket potatoes).

Fluffycloudland77 · 11/02/2012 19:47

Walnuts are meant to be good, zita west advises them.

I've checked and sains are cheapest (surprisingly).

beangrower · 11/02/2012 19:57

Hi Brainy - have you thought of acupuncture and/or herbs as well as supplements? It's not for everyone but others do swear by it. I've also had a wheatgrass recommendation. It's truly yuk though. Confused I take bee pollen but I imagine it's much like royal jelly.

Also v much worth getting your OH checked out as suggested here. I have been living so virtuously for a year - all the dietry suggestions above + numerous supplements, and now acupuncture etc - but found out that DP has pretty rubbish wrigglers. Poor man is now off booze and having acupuncture too. This is after we conceived our DS pretty instantly when I was 37 (I'm now 40).

Really hope your dream comes true. Let us know how you get on. xxx

Original poster
WhereDidMyBrainGo · 11/02/2012 22:49

Oh you're all bloody lovely! Look at all these answers!

I really am drinking very little - couple of glasses of red now and again, usually on day one of AF as I know nothing else is happening!

I'm veggie so no fish oil for me, and I have been trying to lose wait by going low carb when I'm good (have lost 8lbs this month). Exercise is not something I'm good at, but I do take the dog out most days and Shred when I feel particularly virtuous.

Nothing has changed really since I had my DC - just got older and older and older, so am sure that's it . . .

Actually, beangrower I can't believe I forgot herbal side of things. Have tried that before - got pregnant both times and one of those times worked very very beautifully.

vitaminC not butting in at all, and that's very useful advice - will go get my cholesterol checked this week.

I really am touched that so many of you have posted and no one has told me to stop being a silly old cow yet. I am truly grateful for what I have, but would just love this to work one last time.

OP posts:
beangrower · 12/02/2012 09:01

Brainy - you are giving it your best and that's all you can do and it sounds like you have a lovely family so it's a win-win (best advice someone gave me - create a win-win scenario and don't get negative). Just try not to turn into a conception-nutter...

My DP and I are holding out our hopes for acupuncture and herbs to do the trick. We aren't up for any IFV-style intervention, so what will be, will be. He has recently given up drinking so this may be what we needed.

Back to the herbalist for you?

TTFN.

nearlymumofone · 12/02/2012 09:46

I know everyone says this (and it's pretty annoying while you're ttc) but relaxing is the best advice I can give. On both pregnancies it has been times when I've been completely chilled about it all that I fell pregnant. Although the second time I used the clearblue fertility monitor and the first time I used it I fell pg... could be coincidence but... if I ever want to try again I will definatley use it! Good luck x

nearlymumofone · 12/02/2012 09:49

p.s- I found it near impossible to 'relax' about the whole ttc thing. The first time I relaxed about it when the doc said he thought it unlikely I could conceive until a small op. So I just shelved it and fell pg that month are a month of partying and boozing! And this time I was really highly strung about it, I found I was way more obsessive the more I came on MN (as much as I loved the support etc), so I banned myself from it and the internet (as far as conception was concerned) arranged lots of nights out etc, went out enjoyed myself, shifted my focus onto other fun things in life and fell pg that month, now I'm 12 weeks tomorrow (fx all ok in there- have scan this week).