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.

Hello ladies,

May I join you? I am very nearly 40 (April) and we are TTC No1. OH is 41, and we have just started actively trying (fun isn't it!!)

x

Here comes another TWW. I have had Ovulation pain and a negative OPK yesterday evening, so I think yesterday morning's positive was the tail end of the surge and I ovulated last night, judging by the O pain.My temperature is up this morning. Anyway, there was more SWI last night, so I feel I have done the right thing and now I just have to wait. That means there was SWI on O day, 1,3 and 4 days before. That's a reasonable effort isn't it?

I actually feel excited about the possibility this time, so that's good. I have also come to feel that if I don't have another baby, it will be fine, life is ticking along nicely, and although I'd love a baby, I've a lot to keep me going. Of course this optimistic view may not still be here in a week or two

Welcome 1974rach. I hope your TTC journey is an easy one. This is a great group to hang with while you wait for your THB.

Nice to hear from you Green - how are you feeling?

Mozza, I am glad you have a date for the amnio.I hope the time doesn't drag and that you can get some relaxation between now and then.

Have a lovely day everyone....

Welcome to the newcomers and may the journey be brief and successful for you! A lot of Wilson is available to you on this board, try to gain from it and not be put off by less than successful aspects of this process for soome of us. Because finally, even on this thread, majority gets their baby, I feel. Has anybody counted, bthw?

Mozzarella, good to have a plan. Also, good to know that chances are actually rather low. So, taking the two probabilities together - 10% for contagion and same for baby being affected - gives you only 1% probability that baby is ill. Well, that is well tolerable, I believe, for a while. And even if the first test is pos, the probability will still be only 5-10 %, but hopefully amnio takes that worry away for sure!

Hello! Sorry to have gone awol for a few days. Dd3 has had to have another operation on her ovary. If you remember back she has a twisted vary last Feb, and it appears that the same thing was in the process of happening again . She had an op at Alder Hey yesterday and fingers crossed all is well. Very stressful process, but just pleased that we acted quickly and went straight to the experts rather than faff about like we did last time in the local hosp. They took a biopsy too, but the ovary actually looked really healthy so consultant not concerned.
Mozz you sound much calmer and the odds are really very good that all is well. Stressful Christmas for you but I'm sure you'll have the good news by New Year and then can properly relax. Have they given you a time scale for your results?
Green lovely to hear from you - I too yearn for a beach-side residence, and not Blackpool . Whitby would be my ideal but have to make do with holidays there.
Gum again another sterling effort on the ttc-front . Timing sounds very good and enjoy this week of relatively stress free symptom spotting.
Still feeling quite sore - scar seems to have opened up a little on the opposite side now so back to gps tomorrow with possibily more anti-Bs on the cards. Pretty sick of it all now, and just want to get back to my old self. I am also comfort eating terribly, and need to stop buying chocs and biscuits . Laurie doing well - having a bit of a growth spurt at the moment with an extra night waking, but he is so lovely plus he's my last, so not wishing it all away. Looking forward to his first smile though as he has quite a 'stern' expression most of the time
Sorry for not replying to everyone personally - must go and see to dd3 who seems to be so much better this morning (she's back from hosp) but still in a lot of pain.
ps: calibee have been thinking of you the last few days and hope all is well x

Oh Diege, I am so sorry to hear your poor DD has had to have an operation. How stressful for you. Can anyone tell you why this has recurred? You are an amazing woman - what with the dreadful scar opening up and night feeds galore - don't beat yourself up about comfort eating! Your body is probably very tired (I am sure you are) and is naturally craving an easy energy source - the best kind: chocolate and all things sugar. It's such a normal thing.When things have settled you can worry about your diet.

jass, I haven't counted how many successes we have had on this thread, but I know it is only a handful who have officially "given up" ttc and moved on, and that's over the last 4 years. However there are many who join the thread, but then they stop coming on and I don't know whether they've been successful or not. I think the majority actually do eventually get pregnant, but most are under 45, so I am not holding out too much hope for myself.

However, I suppose that the fact I keep having regular periods, month after month, might bode well?

44, 46 or 48 is not really important. If periods are regular, OV is there, there is still hope! I have added to my hopelessness though - my regular gyne has reminded me I have slight adenomyosis which is an implantation inhibitor as well, so not only immune issues might be at play with me. I know I have it, but had DC4 with it already present, so in my mind should not be definitive. she thinks all the immune stuff is bollocks and adenomyosis is enough to keep me from staying preg. It is dampening my spirits, but hey-ho, finally, I will keep going and try to stay happy the way I am! I have 4 and fifth would be just a bonus.....in addition, I have constant low levels of hcg in my body which doc said is normal, but I know I had not had it before, it is a new phenomenon and how am I to now know if I am freshly preg or showing my hcg base levels? Complicated. I suspect that my last chemicals where actually not chems at all, which puts me back to 9 mc instead of 11 - a good thing, if I try to stay optimistic.

Thanks for crossed fingers etc. Sadly still bfn and still no AF. I think you need to persevere if you really want a baby. You never know! There's lots against it when you're older but it does still happen. I'm dubious about IVF with your own eggs since my SIL has spent a fortune trying in her early 40s without success.

Really cold and wet here. Made rhubarb crumble. Yumm. Love to all and special hello to green. Hope you're well.

Hi girls. Jass, is there treatment for adenomyosis? What causes it? Surely if you fell pregnant with it before and had a THB with it before, then it can happen again. I suppose with the low level HCG you could have beta blood tests to see if it is rising next time you get a bfp?

Isadorable, have you been charting? Are you sure of ovulation day? If you are, and you are this late, perhaps a blood test could tell you either way? I know it sounds weird, but I have read over and over of women who had negative hpts and positive blood tests. How frustrating for you! How many DPO would you be by now?

AFM, fertility friend says I ovulated a day sooner than I would say. I don't know why it would do that when I had a + opk after O day according to them. It is wrong, and if it doesn't change within a few days of putting higher temps in, I will override it. So I am 3 DPO (as far as I am concerned) and I will start the antihistamine protocol today. My bulk claratyne hasn't arrived in the mail yet, but I have received my super strength CO q 10 (not part of the protocol) and the antacids that I have to take with the claratyne. I have some in the cupboard which should keep me going!

I don't know why, but this month I am feeling really positive about things - not positive that I will be pregnant- rather a sense that I will be okay either way. I suppose I am thinking about how life has become pretty easy (though incredibly busy) with my DS now 5 years old. I have a lot of freedom to do what I want to do, without a new baby, or toddler in tow, I am enjoying work and the benefits it brings (I do love being paid every two weeks ), I am feeling fit and enjoying regular exercise, plus I am able to do things to look after myself, like acupuncture and chiropractor appointments, which are pretty difficult to schedule in with a baby, especially when breastfeeding.

I was very pleased with myself - swimming 60 laps yesterday- and was thinking about how it has taken 5 years to get back to this fitness, and that having a baby at my age will probably wreck my body - I already have a pretty bad prolapse and I imagine it will get worse with another pregnancy, not to mention the ravaged stomach muscles, which I feel have only really gotten better recently...Anyway, I am not meaning to be a downer about being pregnant - so many wonderful things about pregnancy outweigh all of those things, especially the lovely cuddly little babe at the end!

I suppose I am maybe coming to terms with not having the baby I have madly desired for so long.

Let's see if I am still feeling like this is a week's time! I bet the pre-menstrual hormones won't agree!

Diege, have you been to the GP? How did it go? Are you having to take more anti-b's? Are you getting plenty of help at home and avoiding lifting??? Be sure to care for yourself.

Have a lovely day everyone. Pop in and see us Calibee, I'd like to hear how you are. Are you England visiting your daughter?

Hello! Thanks for your kind words gum, though I feel more like worn-out woman than an amazing one . Not great news at the drs. Swab has come back saying bacteria is resistant to penicillin, so the only AB available is a strong one (metro something?) that causes nausea. They are holding off til Monday to prescribe to see if something topical they've applied works, but not too hopeful as scar has opened up further (now 3mm) and in 2 places and feeling quite sore too. Other than that, dd3 is dong well thank goodness. It's also dd2's birthday (11 today!) and am very pleased with thr mars bar cake I've made (basically very rich choc cake with melted mars bar and double cream poured over) - the diet will def have to wait!
Sorry not to do personals - quite stress here today with 4 of them here (inset day for dd1) so must go and see to the troops!

deige I had metronidazole last yr as I had a wound infection too. It works fast and touch wood I didn't have any side effects, although I was quite poorly so probably wouldn't have noticed!

You've got so much to contend with diege - I think you deserve a huge wedge of cake! Glad to hear dd is doing better. Happy birthday other dd. I had that antibiotic once. Not too bad but you really can't drink. It was Christmas party season so I got to do the rounds sober which was very enlightening... Gum - I dont temp, maybe I should? I was just concerned about being obsessive but no AF still, nearly 2 weeks late, so I can't escape thinking about it all at the moment. xx

Thanks for the AB info' rach and isadorable - I feel better about having to take it now. I don't drink, so not an issue. Am intrigued now as to what happens if I did when taking them!
isadorable I too would def recommend temping - it was a revelation to me and really helped me understand my cycle and reveal to me my short luteal phase (and therefore treat). I would have been clueless without doing this!
DD2 had a good birthday thanks. Lots of presents of the things she wanted, and duck wraps for tea which was a specific request . Tomorrow she has ice skating and friends back to the house for a Chinese takeaway. Then thankfully on to Christmas!

Diege, sorry to hear that the bacteria is resistant to penicillin. I hope the other anti-b works. It may sound a bit hippy, but I have heard that honey can help. There's a bit here on it. In Australia there is a "Menuka" honey which is particularly good. I think it is from New Zealand and I think you can buy it in the UK.

Isadorable, what I love about temping is that it pin points ovulation. It may not do that til after ovulation, but at least you know when to expect AF, and whether or not you have ovulated. I love that I know when to expect AF and it also gives me a sense of control rather than a feeling of obsession. If you do start it, be sure to by a "basal" thermometer which is specifically designed for temping. Fertility friend website has a set of tutorials which makes it so easy.

I am feeling drop dead tired this morning, which will possibly spoil my Saturday. Not very happy! DS came into my bed at 3:45 am, and didn't go back to sleep! We have got friends coming for dinner, so I will have to have a nap this afternoon. I guess DS will too. I will skip my swim because I just don't feel I have the energy. DS spent the day home yesterday, complaining of a sore tummy, but in the early hours revealed to me that in fact it was because he didn't want to go to daycare Now it will be a case of the boy who cried wolf... Anyway, I didn't mind staying home because I got to tidy up the hovel and do some laundry

Diege, I am glad the parties went well. Not long til Christmas, then we will deserve a good rest!

Thanks for the advice regarding obsessing! The only indication I have that I may be gradually becoming reconciled to not having one more baby is that I used to really, really, really long for a newborn, but now I really am jealous of mums of two year olds (so cute and funny) so maybe soon I will long for an older child, then a preteen...No, I am not expressing it right! I think I will start temping. Like greenlizard said, if I feel I have tried anything, then I might feel more relaxed, thinking I have done all I can.

Zen,cexpect a lot of this I want-badly-I really do not care kind of fluctuations. We allllll have this. All. It is a coping mechanism, I think. The less obsessed but still remembering to DTD the right time is I think more or less good place to be!

Diege, teatree once more? I dare no to suggest vodka compress I would be doing myself in this desperate situation. Best really of the natural remedies I know....

I am out this month. Have been doing acupressure to make sure I get a thorough flushing, maybe it's good for the adeno. Adeno is not treatable, it is not curable, it's appearance is a mystery for medical professionals. It can be again natural coping mechanism - it appears when woman has difficulties shedding placenta in previous births, so again body is protecting itself from bleeding to death. My body for some reason or another is scared of a new baby. I can only wait and hope it will forget its fears!

Diege...years ago I worked in a nursing home where serious infections were treated with manuka honey like gum said....
Xxx to you as I would be moaning to all and youaare impressive in coping with everything!!!

Gum as diege said I would give vitex a try it worked for me both times...xxx

I am reading daily but unable to post from my rubbish phone... But my love to all....

J will be a month old on Monday. He has thrush and the medicine does not agree with him!!

Xxxxx

Hello all

Hope I can join as I'm very very nearly 40 (couple of months away from it). We just decided to ttc #3 - I have 2 dd's aged 6 (7 next month) and 10. I'm absolutely terrified about the idea because I'm not a pregnancy/baby person but also really really want it because of the idea of having a whole new person to love in our family.

I'm prepared for it to take some time now - or even never happen - but deep down I'm hoping it'll happen quickly because it was so quick with my first two and my grandmother had my father when she was 42 so I hope I've got good fertility genes :)

I came off the mini-pill a couple of weeks ago and no sign of any period yet - no idea what's happening with my cycle!

Encouraging to read through this thread and see bfps!! Congrats!!! and good luck to those waiting.

I also meant to say that ironically my job is in analysing fertility statistics :)

Hello ladies - wonder if i might join you too? I turned 44 in August. I have two lovely boys and we have decided to try for no 3! I had ds one aged 37 and ds 2 aged 42 (first time of trying and aged 41 at conception!). However i have had mc in the past and it isnt straightforward as i am under dr s in London and have to follow the miscarriage plan of steroids amongst other meds! I have been loitering for a while on this thread and from next month after taking the meds for 6 weeks we will be ready for take off! Very nervous and obviously wondering what my chances are but have got a lot of inspiration from all you lovely ladies x (smile)

Nice to hear from you notsoold - can't believe your little one is a month old already. It seems everyone else's lives move so quickly here and mine sooooo slowly. Hope the thrush clears up soon. How are you feeling?

diege hope your wound clears up soon - sounds so very uncomfortable and must stop you moving freely.

hopeful hope your energy has returned. Sometimes I think we should listen to our bodies when they try and tell us stuff....so take it easy for a bit. You could still go swimming but maybe do a little less that 60 laps (seriously impressed by this!)

Welcome mattsmama and Shaks I hope your stay here is brief for all the right reasons but there is no better place to hang out in the meantime. everyone is fabulous and supportive here

I am now 5 weeks and 3 days pregnant and trying (unsuccessfully) not to obsess/panic/stress. I thought it worth noting that I have very dark OPK's (darker than control line), very dark FRER's (darker than control line) and have moved from 1-2 weeks on CB digital conception indicator to 2-3 weeks) but my internet cheapies are hardly showing a line at all even with FMU. This totally freaked me out to start with but all the other tests I have done have been getting steadily darker so am assuming they are just a bit rubbish. I didn't use them for my last pregnancy until I was about 7 weeks so can't say if they are bad batch it not. Anyway thought I would share that with you so my relentless unscientific POAS analysis might be of some interest to someone

I am off to the doctors tomorrow to register and ask for an early reassurance scan - when do you think would be a good time - 8 weeks? If they won't refer me, we will get one done privately as I don't think I can wait until 12 weeks (assuming everything goes well until then....

I have two works nights out this week - one at a conference dinner tomorrow night and one at a black tie do on Thursday - I am trying to take it a bit easier and life seems to get in the way - work is very busy at the moment and I am trying to make sure I exercise, eat well and get enough sleep - all of which leaves about 20 mins a day to be with my DP!! Am hoping things will calm down soon. Anyway - what are your top tips for avoiding the booze without rousing suspicion at social events?

Hope you are having lovely weekends. Who is in the 2ww at the moment?

Green, infection and AB is the best unsocialising tip! But you might also try "work is really busy nowadays and to cope I can not drink". I use this really often, leaves colleagues with really good I impression as well!
If OPKs are darker than control and digi test has moved, you are defo in thousands of units of hcg by now. It is time to stop testing now, even if I know I would not in your situation. Even if we all know that when hcg is in thousands, tests are no good source of info about viability anymore anyway. I would go for that reassurance scan at 7 weeks, heartbeat should be there by that time.

Welcome to newbies, hope your stay here is mercifully brief!

Very tired and heading off to bed, but just wanted to say thanks for all the kind words and advice about the section scar. I will certain mention the honey tomorrow when I see the dr (maybe not the vodka though that does sound strangely soothing!)
Also wanted to say green that I had the exact same thing with internet cheapies, as have many I know. The cheapies only have a finite amount of dye in them and will therefore only show colour as opposed to get darker than say the control line. There's something on this on peeonastick.com that you might find helpful (in the FAQs I think).
I am another one seriously impressed with the 60 laps gum . It is also great that you are feeling as relaxed as you can about ttc-ing - dare I ask about temperatures yet?

Green , my EPU booked me for a scan at 7 weeks, I didn't actually go to see my GP till after I'd seen a heartbeat on the scan, I've had so many pregnancy notes and "Emma's Diaries" from previous pregnancies I thought I'd wait a while this time! However I knew our EPU lets you self refer and I know the staff there quite well at this stage so I preferred to see them first.
The place I go for private scans will scan from 7 weeks so that's an option if you can't get a referral for an NHS early scan,I know the waiting is so difficult.I too kept doing clearblue digital tests till I got to 3+ weeks and then stopped!
I had another private scan the week before last at 16 weeks, everything was fine but I still can't help worrying,it seems like a long time now till my 20 week scan! I have an anterior placenta so it may be more difficult to feel movements. I think I'm feeling some flutters low down but not consistently.I've bought an Angel sounds heart monitor but am reluctant to use it in case I can't find a heartbeat easily, the midwife took a while to find it last week due to placental position. I don't think the worry will stop till baby is safely here!
Sorry I never got back to you about our puppy. She's a chocolate labrador,nearly 8 months old now so really a young dog rather than pup, but we also have a geriatric choc lab,13 next yr so I think the younger will always be the "pup"! She's very cute and loving but she does tend to chew(especially the kitchen!) and has discovered the joy of digging holes in the garden too. Hopefully she'll grow out of it (soon!)
Re not making it obvious you're not drinking, a tonic water with ice and a slice could be a G&T, apple juice in a wine glass(especially if diluted with water ) looks like white wine !
Diege what a time you're having with your wound infection and your DD needing surgery again! I don't know how you find time to make cakes too(that Mars bar cake sounds great!).Hope you're feeling better soon.
notsoold nice to hear from you,hope Joseph's thrush clears up soon, can't believe he's a month already!
Jass sorry to hear you're out this month, hope the adeno doesn't cause you ongoing problems with ttc.
Welcome to Shakshuka and Mattsmama ,hope you quickly get your BFPs!
Hi to everyone else.

Diege, temps are rising, but nothing to write home about. I wish they were sky high, then I'd be excited. But no, they aren't very impressive. I am having no symptoms whatsoever, just the usual tender breasts which I have every cycle. So it is just as well that I'm not too hopeful.

Green, my experience of internet cheapies is much the same. I'd say you could put down the tests, relax and enjoy the fact you are pregnant. As for an early scan, 8 weeks is great for showing things well without a vaginal ultrasound, but I think at 6 weeks you may see a heartbeat with dildocam. As for not drinking: I have used the following excuses: antibiotics, detox, by order of my naturopath, it makes my eczema flare up (this is true!), Dry July (insert whichever month is relevant), or hold a glass of wine, which you pretend to sip from, and empty into a pot plant...

DS has swimming lessons this morning, so I will get back into the pool. I doubt I will swim 60 as I won't have enough time, but it really isn't that much. It is equivilant to walking 4 times the distance - so that is only about 6 km. Also, when I swim 40 laps it takes 20-25 minutes - which really isn't that much time spent exercising - I believe I should be doing at least 30 minutes a day, and I certainly don't. As Green was saying, trying to fit everything in leaves very little time.

Have a happy day everyone...