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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.

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Original poster

Veeeeeery long cycle-am I ovulating?

11 replies

sometimenever · 07/07/2006 21:49

Hello everybody!. Just a quick question, I have read somewhere, possibly on here, that if your cycle is longer than 42 days then you are unlikey to be ovulating. Is this true? Can anybody explain the concept of this? Thanks in advance!

OP posts:

mistressmiggins · 07/07/2006 22:04

rubbish

my cycle was anytrhing from 38 days to 42 and I manageD to conceive first child in 4 months & 2nd in 1 month

you just need to read your body & realise when you are ovulating

Original poster

sometimenever · 07/07/2006 22:14

Thanks for that. I was just unsure as my cycles range anything up to 12 weeks so was wondering if DH and I should just keep TTC or if I should see the GP for some advice. Although the practice is fun !

OP posts:

AttilaTheMeerkat · 08/07/2006 07:36

sometimesnever,

A "normal" cycle is a cycle length of between 21 and 35 days or with around 4 days or less (as with mistressmiggins) of variation from month to month.

You may not be ovulating regularly if your periods are irregular in nature. I would suggest therefore that you have a blood test done to assess your hormone levels properly. In this regard two hormones LH and FSH need to be compared against one another (these should be the same). Long cycles like a 12 week one (have had those and even longer) for instance are indicative of hormonal problems and a condition called polycystic ovaries is a common culprit. It can be treated.

If you have been ttc for nearly a year now I would seek medical advice sooner rather than later.

Natty1806 · 08/07/2006 09:00

My doc said over 42 days and it is unlikely, and did the blood tests that Merrkat has mentioned. It turned out my levels compared were fine but my progestrone level was 1 and should be over 14 i think.

My cycles are between 46 - 70 day last one was 35 days, am on CD24 today and no signs of ovulation.

Have been refered to fert clinic, if you have only just come off the pill maybe leave it a while and see if your body sorts itself out, and buy taking charge of your fertility book - excellent and helping you know your body.

Best wishes

Original poster

sometimenever · 08/07/2006 11:52

Thanks for that Natty. Been TTc since Jan this year, but came off the pill over two years ago, so dont think that would be a problem by now . I am 30, nearly 31 and DH is 37 so thats why I was querying cos we aren't as young as we used to be!!! Will give it another month and then go see the doc, just to get checked out. AF never been regular, only when on pill with withdrawal bleed. Thanks for your info.

OP posts:

Natty1806 · 08/07/2006 14:04

Glad it was some help.

apronstrings · 08/07/2006 14:10

for a few years I only had a period 3 or 4 times a year. The doctor told me she would refer me for fertility help after 6 months (rather than the usual year) if I didn't get pregnant within that time - I was only 27 then, so if you don't have any luck it may be worth an early visit to the gp.

apronstrings · 08/07/2006 14:12

incidently - this time I got pregnant on day 42 of my cycle and since the birth of this baby have worked a regular as clockwork 28 days something I have never done in my life!?

AttilaTheMeerkat · 08/07/2006 18:32

sometimesnever,

If your AF has never been regular this is another possible indicator of there being an underlying hormonal imbalance. Would think PCO is a possibility.

Would therefore urge you to see GP asap and not leave it any longer.

Original poster

sometimenever · 08/07/2006 22:18

Thanks ATM, I didnt want to trundle off to the GP and be seen as a time waster! Think I might book appt to go next week-I guess they will soon tell me if Im being impatient and silly!

Thanks everyone for your advice

OP posts:

LemonTart · 08/07/2006 22:41

just to offer a little hope - my periods have always been irregular (35-45+ days,) sometimes missing a month altogether. DD1 was conceived in the first month of trying, DD2 in the second month of trying, both healthy and very normal children. I was worried sick that my irregular and long, hard to calculate cycles would make it hard or even impossible to conceive but were lucky.
Agree that medical advice is the best way to go to find out exactly state of play for you. Beware of those statements you read/hear that state black and white sweeping facts such as 42+ days = no ovulation as this is too general IMHO. We are all individuals and have our own natural rhythms, what might be the case for one person, may not be the case for you.
Be brave, see the GP and start putting facts in place to stop those worries - think positive and change that nickname

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