Those of you late thirties, how long ttc #2

[tanfastic]

I know this has probably been done to death but I'm curious. How long did it take ttc child number 2 (compared with number one).

My first was one month at 34 , dead easy. I'm now 38 (39 in three weeks) and it's been nearly seven months and not a sniff.

Number 1 conceived on first cycle at 33years. Now I'm 36 and have been TTC number 2 since last April. Had a MMC in september last year but nothing since. Look around on a few of the long threads. We're sadly not alone in having trouble having a second.

Arrr, it's so frustrating isn't it? I stupidly thought I'd have no problems given how easy it was first time round. However we're only averaging sex once or maybe twice a week due to our life situation so we are probably not giving ourselves the best chance

Birds, I am pretty regular and last month did the ov sticks and timed it to perfection - nothing!

No1 3 months age 35
No2 1 month age 38

DS, 1 month, 37
DD, 1 month, 40

Not sure if my experience counts. Ds1 was a happy surprise 13 years ago. I'm now 38 and we were trying for 2/3 cycles got pg but then mc but pg again after 1st cycle I'm 5 weeks.

Thanks ladies. Anymore?

Conceived on second cycle when I was 34. Now 37 and on 13th cycle of ttc No.2. Seeing gynae this month to try to find out what's up. Hopefully they'll find something they can fix and not just tell me to be patient (my GP seemed to think impatience was my only problem!).

No.1 @ 36 - 2 cycles
No.2 @ 38 (now 39) - 3 cycles but miscarried, then another 5 cycles and now 26w and still shitting it that something will go wrong.

PS - I had various tests done in the cycles after my m/c to see progesterone levels (not good, all sub 25) and LH/FH, again not good FH was 12.7.

Pie - what do those figures you've just quoted mean? Sorry I'm not au fait.

I wasn't going to bother having any tests, what can they do? I don't want to go down the ivf route as I'm too old.

#1 was instantly, at 29.
#2 was also instantly at 33.

I'm 38 now and ttc and am a bit worried it won't be that easy.

So good luck, and I hope it works out Ok for you. Are you charting/checking your own fertility signs etc? I think that helps.

DC1 was conceived when I was 34, took 8 months
DC2 conceived at 39, took 18 months (started TTC aged just 38, had baby at 40)

Flighty I'm not being obsessive about it but I did use the ovulation sticks last month. I had a crash emergency c section last time and I do wonder if something isn't quite right resulting from that

ds1 2 years.
been ttc dc2 for 5 years. 4 mcs.
I am 5 w 4 days today.

Well done Mrs N

That's lovely.

Tan - I don't know, it may be worth speaking to your Dr about it though, he can get your notes from when you had your first baby. And if necessary refer you to have things checked etc.

I hope it's not that, personal q but are you getting fertile cm? That's probably the most important thing that helps with conception imo.
Basically whenever you are having that is the right time to be doing it

tan I also had an emergency CS in my last pregnancy.

They like to see your progesterone levels above 30 to confirm you have ovulated (blood test taken 7 days before AF starts or 7 days post ovulation). Although my levels were always about 20 I was sure I had ovulated (was charting on fertility friend, using OPKs and had all the signs) but the GP said they might have been a 'weak' ovulation (whatever that means). They like to see LH and FSH equal numbers (blood test normally taken Day 3) and FSH especially to be under 9 (I think). FSH levels above 10 - 12 can indicate being perimenopausal.

Once I found out my FSH was so crap I started acupuncture (amazing, would definitely recommend it) and taking additional B6 (50mg) in addition to conception vits (his and hers). DP also had only 2% morphology (normal sperm) so I still can't believe i'm actually pregnant given the above. Admittedly I did get obsessed, it was hard not to!

(Congrats mrsn that's amazing!! :) :) :)

Thanks Pie. I said I'd not bother with tests but wondering what to do now

If you've been trying for over 6 months and are 35+ then I'd get some tests done just in case it's something that's easily rectified? Some people poo-poo vitamins but I really believe they helped me (especially B6) although better to take as a B-Vitamin Complex (maybe start at 50mg?).

Your GP should agree to do the Day 3 and Day 21 tests as it's just a simple blood test and you can take it from there? Might also be worth your DH getting a sperm sample done?

Pie, I'm 38, nearly 39 and dh is 46. We're on cycle 7.

Okay I'm a bit worried that If I go to the GP asking for tests they will say I'm too old. When I went last summer to enquire about ttc and questions relating to my previous pre eclampsia I found the GP pretty unsympathetic and I am sure she thinks I'm too old to be considering ttc again (she told me when I was 30 I should be getting a move on!).

I dunno what to do

DD1, 1st cycle, age 30
DS1, 8th cycle, age 38

Moog, you've given me hope!

tan - re gp - go to a different one is my advice...

DC1 9 months (I was 34 when conceived) - born by emcs, too
DC2 13 months on and BFN this morning :( I'm now 37

Perhaps I will make an appointment to see the dr, too...