Fabulous Fecund Over Forties TTC: fertile,prolific,fruitful and productive. Hand over the bfp's and hand them over now!!

[hopefulgum]

Starting the new thread for you wonderful ladies before I fly off into the sunset.

May this thread bring us the happy news we've all been waiting for.

Thanks everyone for your kind, thoughtful words about Dad. Such complicated emotions. Sorry Gum your FIL in suffering so badly.

Anyway, this is for Morien -
I was 42 when I had dd and I have a chronic pain condition and when I saw the anaesthetist about my epidural beforehand she said - "there's no way you'll be able to push for more than 30 minutes". We were panicked by that and my dad, brother and boyfriend all thought I should have a c-section. My mum and my gynae didn't agree! The doctor said he'd already worked out I could need help but not to worry, he'd be there. And he was. It was fine. I dont remember having to open my hips wide at all. I think if you want a vaginal birth you should try to pursue what you want. You sound confident you think he's wrong, is there another doc you could ask an opinion/and or change to if required?

Hi ladies.
Not much going on here. Yesterday was my day at home, I took DS to swimming lessons, did my swimming, ran a few errands and came home absolutely shattered. I swear, if I hadn't had AF a few days earlier I would have believed I was pregnant. I seem to go to bed quite early, and sleep well, so don't know why I feel so tired. I do hope it isn't just being "old" cos I have too much to do! I had to have a little (2 hours) rest on the couch But then I got up and painted the cornices in the kitchen. DH was supposed to paint the kitchen on the weekend, but did an amazing job of procrastinating so I got fed up and started it myself. He is the world's best procrastinator - however seems to manage to get things done at work. He saves his laziness procrastinating for home. It does my head in! You would think after nearly 24 years marriage I'd be used to it, but it still drives me bonkers!

I had asked him and the kids to have the kitchen done for my birthday, but at this rate it is highly unlikely!

Anyway, onto to ttc stuff. I happened to come across the "antihistamine" protocol yesterday and will give that a go this cycle. I've nothing to lose (except a few dollars) and I doubt it is harmful. It requires taking antihistamine, antacids (which has a different form of histamine blocker in it) and prednisone. I won't be taking the prednisone as I would need a script for that and my Dr doesn't understand the stuff about auto-immune and implantation failure. I don't know if my body is regecting embies, but I will give this a go and who knows? Maybe it is the magic bullet. I just take one claratin in the morning, and then the ant acid at night, starting at 3-4 days post ovulation. It is a shocking hay fever this season as we had a lot of rain over winter and early spring, so I would probably be taking anti-histamines anyway. I ordered the stuff yesterday, so it will be here in time.

I hope DH and I are feeling more energetic soon, as I can't remember the last time we DTD! And now I need him to perform every couple of days. I am surprised he doesn't see a pattern in it, but where sex is involved he's just grateful and asks no questions!

I hope everyone is well.

How are you Calibee? DO you have a fertility clinic appointment soon? And Mazzie? Mumalah, how are you?

Isadorable, when is AF due? Will you test beforehand?

Hopeful, it is not so bad not to take the prednisone - for some women, it kills OV in event cycle if you take it from OV to period. I am one of those who do not ovulate on pred, so only can take it from bfp.
I am trying agnus castus and vit b6 now. And I think I am about to OV....

Afternoon . Good luck with the AC and vit B6 Jass - I'm sure they did the trick for me, esp the agnus castus. Fingers crossed ovulation is indeed around the corner x
Gum I think we are married to the same man! My dh's procrastination is even more cruel I think...he starts the job (or maybe gets the 'equipment' - ie, curtain pole and curtains) and then it stalls, often for years . I have some lovely curtains from The White Company to finish off the dss' room, but they are in the 'pending' corner. Ditto blinds that have been waiting over a year now for the hall...I would do them myself but just not tall enough to do the job, even perched on ladder (I have tried!). Hoping he (your dh that is!) gets his energy back and at least the 'deed' gets done! I'm happy to settle for the curtains these days!
I went back to GPs yesterday as scar still seeming sore and weeping a bit. It has opened a bit, but nothing drastic they say and it should resolve itself without need for more ABs. I am having to have the wound dressed with iodine dressings by the nurse every other day though, which is as unpleasant as it sounds. I know what it will feel to be really old now - Countdown, Dickinson's Real deal, and getting my wound dressed at the GPs - that's the life!
Oh and I have also extended my maternity leave by a month . Feeling a bit guilty but also quite thrilled too . It means works cunning plan of doubling up my workload when I was to return is a little bit scuppered (though there will still be lots waiting for me anyway) which is of course good, but I do feel a bit guilty as I had promised some of the students that I would supervise their dissertations (will now be a little late to take them on). Still, I think I have made the right decision and would have felt quite resentful returning just to keep a few students happy while Laurie was put into nursery earlier than he has to be. Does that sound a bit selfish?? S o now planning a end of March return which seems a lot better than dreary end of feb!

Oh and meant to say morien that I gave birth vaginally with severe spd which meant my movement 'legs opening-wise' was pretty restricted. I had no problems whatsoever and the old legs were tested what with stirrups in theatre for forceps delivery!

So tired but don't think it is a sign of preg. Dd fell and cut open her eyebrow at crèche - took her to get it sown up then spent rest of day tending to her as she threw up too. No time to buy a test but not sure I need one though no af. Gotta run as she needs changing poor poppet.

Aargh, wrote a long post this afternoon but it disappeared. Don't have time or energy to re-write it now but just wanted to thank you wonderful lot for confirming what I thought

Your poor DD, isadorable! DSD (3) had stitches in her chin the other week following a fall in the school toilets, and it was done so neatly and has healed so well you can hardly see it already.

Wow, Isadorable and Morien, it sounds like the time for falls and cuts and stitches! Last week DS fell off the trampoline and got a gash on the back of his head. Being the rotten mother that I am, after texting photos of it to two friends who are nurses, I decided to patch it up myself with steri strips! I just couldn't bring myself to go up to emergency and wait. I'd had enough of hospitals!Luckily it seems to be healing fine and having a scar is no big deal as it will be under his hair.

I hope your DD is feeling better Isa. Ooh, and I hope that no AF and tiredness is a good sign What do you mean you don't have a test in the cupboard ready to go???Doesn't everyone have at least 3 waiting every month ?

Diege, so pleased that you have another month's leave. Please don't feel guilty. The students will be fine, and having little Laurie at home with you for another month is much more important. Will you be working full-time? I am glad the wound is getting better, I do hope it will stop being sore soon.

Well, I am pleased to report that DH did some painting. I think the guilt card is worth playing - when DS asked why the kitchen wasn't painted, I said, "I don't know, I did ask for it for my birthday, but if daddy can't do it today, I will just have to wait..." And guess what...he did it! Well, not all of it. He's done one coat of the ceiling, muttering about the state of the paint the entire time. He will have to do another ceiling coat, then undercoat and two coats of paint on the walls. Who knows if it will be done by Sunday? He has the day off work as the electrician and plumber are coming today to install the new cooker, so once they have gone, hopefully, he'll get on with the painting Oh, and he did have a bit of energy last night...so the SWI is starting up again. It's CD8 today, so every other night for about a week should cover bases!

I am also taking Vitex (agnus castus) this cycle, Jass, but I forgot to take it yesterday. Must remember today.

It is pouring rain here today, which is good as I planted vegetable seedlings yesterday. And nice to rug up a bit after some hot weather.

Have a good day!

Good morning to all

Sorry to hear about injured dc's ladies. Got to say that the worst part of parenting for me was injuries and illnesses...bad times.

My very brave dd1 gave birth to a healthy 8lb2oz baby boy on Saturday. I'm very proud of her...and I cannot wait to fly home in two weeks to meet the little man.

For me, AF turned up today, which would lead me to believe that I ovulated before DH got home from exercise. Hmphh.
First clinic appointment later, but I hold little hope. My oestrogen results were super low although FSH was 8.8 (I;'m not convinced by these results as they weren't taken on day 3). I feel more and more peri-menopause symptoms. It must be just early for me .

....I had to shut down quickly on that last message.....DH walked in. Eeek

Hmmm ...im addition to my poor results I mentioned above, my 7dpo progesterone was 4.4...so despite 100mg of clomid, ewcm and positive opk's, it appears I still didn't ovulate.
We need some BFP's on here...its not my month so hopefully its going to be a good one for one of you lovely ladies.

Hey ladies

Sorry for being AWOL for such a long time (I know, I know - again). Was trying to get myself in a bit of a zen state before starting IVF, losing a bit of weight, taking care of myself and trying not to be too stressed about it all (ha, ha).....in the end the IVF didn't happen because when I called and let the clinic know that AF had arrived which meant I should have started the short protocol, they cheerfully informed me that they would have to cancel the cycle because one of the consultants was off sick and they were getting a new incubator installed! .

I was very upset given that the two cycles I had had post miscarriage were over 70 days and 46 days long respectively - so missing one cycle could have meant months of waiting. After lots of wailing and gnashing of teeth on my behalf they did agree that if I failed to ovulate by day 20 they would force the ovulation to make sure my cycle was not too long.

As it turned out my body decided to behave itself this month and I ovulated on CD12 which at least made me feel a bit better that my body was starting to get back to normal.

That said I felt even better when I got a total shock BFP this morning on the day my AF was due. . Obviously, we are beyond thrilled and extremely scared but as you wise ladies have said - today, at least, I am pregnant.

Xx

Ps. Will now try and catch up on everyone's news....

Oh, what wonderful news, green - congratulations Completely understand your nervousness, but you said it - today you're pregnant Here's to a smooth, boring pregnancy...

And congratulations to you and your daughter too, CaliBee. Bet you can't wait to see them.

Green ,congratulations,what wonderful news!!!
It must have been fate that your IVF was cancelled, what a perfect outcome! xxx
Congratulation to your daughter as well CaliBee ,glad she had a safe delivery and all is well.
Sorry to hear your results haven't been encouraging so far. Will you have your AMH levels checked too? What does the clinic suggest?
Diege sounds like you've had a rough time with your post op infection, hope it all settles down soon.
Sorry I've not posted for a while, wanted to pop on quickly to congratulate green and I need to bring DD2 and her friend to Brownies now, will try to catch up soon.

Thats lovely news green...happy for you.
My clinic appointment was like a breath of fresh air. I saw the (very handsome....always a bonus) consultant who for once didnt poo poo me because of my age. Infact whilst he was realistic about my age and explained that medical interventions at this stage are most likely fruitless, but he happily gave the go ahead for 6 months of clomid. His attitude was similar to mine....if it worked once he sees no reason why it shouldn't work again. He feels that progesterone results can be ambiguous...if the egg is healthy and implanted well the progesterone will reflect this. There is no amount of progesterone support that would maintain an unhealthy pregnancy. I feel happier just for being listened to and taken seriously.
So it was a big thumbs up to the Regional Fertility Centre in Belfast.

Great news calibee! I have heard similar re: progesterone from other experts, and it certainly makes sense in terms of you trying the clomid again. I have everything crossed for you xx
Green wow what a lovely surprise . How many weeks are you? Many congratulations
Gum great news on the decorating front Is it this Sunday that it's your birthday? Hope you manage to dtd at the right time - I have to admit I feel tired just thinking about it on your behalf
irish lovely to hear from you and look forward to hearing how things are going when you get the chance x
Laurie has now been discharged from mw care as he's regained his birth weight (put on 10 ozs in a week) so very relieved. He has actually tipped the other way and is guzzling down 5 oz bottle now at 3 weeks, and still seems hungry after . I'm putting it down to a temporary growth spurt - at this rate we'll be referred for putting on too much weight!
Dd3's birthday tomorrow - will be 8 - so need to shift into party gear and get balloons blown up etc. She's at school tomorrow but having party tea, and then on Saturday she has a roller skating party and a friend sleeping over. Then it all happens again next Friday for dd2's 11th birthday

Happy news all around then (apart from DCs injuries, of course).
Green, congratulations!
and Cali, I have had my progesterone measured 7dpo several times, it never reaches 10, and oh I do ovulate very well, thank you. So , I have always felt a bot uneasy when some docs say if progesterone is below 30 you do not ovulate. I do progesterone support in case of bfp, but once I had it measured when I had just got the bfp and it was 96. Which shows that if there is pregnancy to support, it can change really fast. Good you have a doc you can trust!

Oooh, loads of action on the thread.

OMG Green!!!!A BFP!!!Hurray! I just love the way you and Morien got preggers before starting IVF. It is just so lovely Just remember, you are pregnant today and there is every good reason that you too will have a take home baby.

Calibee, congratulations on your DD's new baby. And I am so please that your appointment at the clinic went well.

Diege, I am glad to hear that Laurie is putting on weight. It sounds like you have a busy week ahead with the DD's birthdays. How old is your eldest child? I often think about your household, how full-on it must be as your children are still young. I have five, but they are all spread out, so it is relatively easy at home. It certainly helps having older children to help with the little one. I bet your older kids help entertain the younger ones?

Well I think it is CD9 today, I am not sure, I need to put my temps into fertility friend. I'll be having a crack at it again this month, but not getting too hopeful, I am about to turn 47 FGS! I will try to enjoy my birthday, but the truth is that I am getting further and further away from being able to have a THB. But as I and others have said, it's just a number and there's still a chance.

Ugh, I have a 45 minute dental appointment today I am having a root canal re-filled. I really don't like having dental work, but he is a great dentist, and it has to be done...

Ooh good luck with the dentists Gum!! Root canals are never as bad as you think they're going to be, it just takes so long. Have wound dressing appointment today - will have to take baby and ds2, and it coincides with Laurie's feed time so that will be fun . Hope your appointment is as painless and stress free as it can be (and that you feel so much better after)

Dd3 very pleased with her presents, so mentally moving on to next week's bd now . Eldest dd is 12 Gum, then it's dd2 (11 next week), dd3 (8 today!), ds1 4, ds2 2 last week, and baby Laurie, 4 wks tomorrow . I often think of you (you inspire me to be calmer with my lot as you always seem to take everything in your stride) when we're all trying to get out of the house! One of those 'what would gum do' moments .
Right, better try and get to that appointment!
Love to all xxx

Lots of good news. Congrats Green, that's just great. Will cross fingers and toes for you. Glad your doc proved sympathetic and encouraging Calibee.

Gum good luck with dentist - I really need to go too. I admire you and diege in managing large families. I'm up to my neck in the terrible twos at the moment. DD doing OK now though which is a relief.

BFN for me as I thought. Not too down as my hopes were high during first week but disappeared with my symptoms during the second one. Come on AF so we can try again!

Love to all.

green congratulations on your bfp, such a good timing!!
and congratulations also to cali !! How long will you stay with them when you'll visit them?
diege 12,11,8,4,2 + Laurie...Wow! How can you manage all that?

Diege, I would be ... I do not know in which mental state. Certainly not trying for a THB. My 4 are also spread out, 24,20,8,4. And I still occasionally think the 8 and 4 drive me crazy and am I sure I can manages a new baby. The 4 yo is a high-risk kid, very active and can create a lot of chaos.......you are very very brave!

Oh I'm definitely not trying for any more babies I'm happy in my cheerleading role on here. It is hard work but tbh the newborn stresses are no worse than they've been at other times. I don't seem more tired or stressed than I have with any of the others and if it wasn't for the pain I my scar I think I would feel that things were getting back to normal pretty quickly. 6 is def my limit though!
Had check-up today and while scar 'isn't brilliant' it's ok and there's just a '2mm gape' there now I am so glad I can't see past my jelly belly overhang . It does seem extremely sore tonight, but maybe due to the very tight dressing that's on it. Dh can do the school run tomorrow anyway, and hopefully by the time of my next appointment on Monday things will have improved more and I can handle the wound on my own. I can't believe Laurie is a month old tomorrow - where did the weeks go?!

Diege, I can't believe it either. The time really does fly with new babies, doesn't it? Actually, I think the first year flies. I remember when my two eldest were young, and I was struggling with them in the shops, a dear old lady said to me, "The days are long, but the years are short. Make the most of it dear!" I now understand what she meant. Some days are long and hard with young children, but the years fly by and you look back and can't understand where the time went.

DH and I were talking about our 25th wedding anniversary, what we might do (it is two years away), and he made a comment about not going too far from home because of the kids. I said,"DS will be 7 by then, we can leave him with an older sibling and go somewhere exotic". DH was pleased with that idea. He is so ready to move onto an easier time of life, and I am just not

I hate that we don't feel the same way, but I cannot change that. So I often think, it is just as well I haven't gotten pregnant, as I think it would make him unhappy. I am very conflicted about it. I know, he will be fine in the end, he loves his children, adores our youngest, but I know he's ready to move on. God knows, I wish I was! I just keep thinking that the toughest part, is the first five years, and another five years of waiting to move onto easier times, isn't that long, and totally worth it to have another person part of our family. But DH just sees the years ticking by as he gets older and more tired Its a bloody conundrum! My ticking clock is pretty damned strong too.

My way of resolving this dilemma is to just throw it out to the universe and allow fate/biology/chance to make the decision. It's irresponsible, I know, and I am sure many women on mumsnet would flame me for behaving this way. But I suppose DH, though he thinks it is impossible for me to get pregnant at my age, is taking a risk by not using contraception.

Anyway, I hadn't planned to write all that down on this thread, it just sort of came out

AFM, not much happening here. I am not looking forward to my birthday. If I was preggers or holding a baby, I would have no trouble at all celebrating my 47th birthday, it wouldn't worry me, but knowing that it brings me closer to menopause, and further from a baby means I find it hard to celebrate.

I will put on a brave face though . Today is a pupil free day at work, so my department are taking me out for lunch, which will be nice. Tomorrow morning I am meeting friends in town for a cuppa, and tomorrow night we are having take away Thai (I would rather that than going out). Oh, and I am off to the ballet with a friend tonight - Swan Lake. I hope I can stay awake! That's the hardest part of going out for me these days.

Jass my eldest two are 22 and 20 (similar ages to yours), then I have 16, 13 and 5. I really need one more to even it all up!

BTW, the dentists was a breeze. It was to replace a root canal filling, so in fact it was much quicker than I expected. I was done in about twenty minutes!

Hello. I am 43 and TTC. I have been reading this thread for a long, long time and feel like I know many of you! I have a little question- how soon can implantation bleed occur? DTD on Monday, and noticed a little pink CM yesterday- is that too soon? Thanks for your wisdom