We might be over 40 but we are young at heart, taking our supplements, shagging on time and waiting for the precious BFP!Over 40's TTC, join us here...

[Gumblossom]

Starting the new thread, Cloudjumper.

Anyone over 40, trying to conceive, whether it is your first or 6th (or more), we're facing the obstacles together.

I've been at it for 6 years now, but there are plenty of good news stories from these threads over the years.

Come and join us with your worries, woes,successes and milestones, we are here to support one another in our quest.

I'm out for sure now. AF arrived yesterday on day 29. I am trying to see it as positive that my cycle may have got slightly longer - it had been 27 days at one point and I was worried about short luteal phase. Onward and upward. Anything from you Reni?

Hope things continue without further problems jass and fromwest. Fingers crossed for the MRI cloud. Good luck gum and everyone else.

Lovely to hear from you fromwest. Glad to hear that the pregnancy is progressing. I hope you are wrong about it being like the MMC, but I totally understand your apprehension to be attached to an outcome.

I saw my lovely female GP today (I refer to her as that, as I have 2 gp's). She is the one I see for "ladybits" stuff and when I want further investigation. I see my male gp for more acute issues.

Anyway, we talked about the "M" word (menopause!). She thinks I am most likely peri-menopausal, but that's not at all surprising at 48. She also said that hormones will be quite alright most months, but may wan abit at other times. However, she feels that pregnancy is possible and her words were,"if it's meant to be..." Anyway, she told me of a patient who is in shock, thinking she was going through menopause, but wound up pregnant at 42, and another, whose baby she just delivered - the mum is 46, and she had this baby after 3 miscarriages (that buoyed me a bit).

She's sending me to an allergy specialist as, despite my super clean diet, I am experiencing hives a lot, and some tummy issues. I suspect that I may be lactose intolerant, but I can't be sure. I need to make an appointment with the allergy clinic, but it's in the big city, so will require days off work. I will phone them tomorrow.

DH went away today for his school excursion to the city for three days. I haven't done an opk yet, but yesterday is was totally blank, so I am hoping ovulation will hold off til he gets back. I'd really like a shot at it this month.

Well, as usual there's a mountain of stuff to do. For some reason, the house has exploded into a nightmarish mess, and it's down to me to do something about it. I haven't even put away the damned grocery shopping yet, I just wanted a nice cup of tea. My supplements arrived today. The estrogen cream and progesterone cream. I have no idea how to use the estrogen cream. Should I use it from day 1 through to ovulation, or stop before ovulation? Looks like I need to check with Dr Google, I didn't even think of asking my Dr today. I doubt she'd know anyway after the progesterone debacle I had with her (she had no idea what to prescribe and prescribed all sorts of the wrong stuff like provera... )

Have a lovely evening. After the big clean up, I am going to soak in the bath...bliss!

Aww, Fridge, sorry to hear that you are out. But if you are happy with the lengthening of your cycle, it may be a step in the right direction in terms of hormones.

Getting pregnant is such a complicated business: hormones need to be right to grow an egg, release an egg, implant an egg, hold onto an embryo...plus, an egg needs to be healthy. The "vibe' has to be right - the environment for the sperm - mucus must be the right kind so the sperm can swim up and toward the egg. They need to be there at the right time for the egg to meet them...

It's a wonder the earth is over-populated...

Sorry you are out, fridge. No news from me. I have turned from compulsive and early tester to an avoider. Can't face it. Ff reckons af is due tomorrow, my usual cycle is 24d, O on cd12. This one was O on cd14 and I am on cd27. I have a really bad cold, I'm sure that won't help chances.

Crossing fingers for everyone, especially fromwest and JassS.

fireflies My consultant recommended the MRI because I have a very large fibroid (10 cm) in my uterus. Most women have fibroids and will never know about them, however, if they are very large, they could cause miscarriages... And since we don't know the cause of 2 of my 4 mcs, he suggested to take a closer look. I don't really expect that the fibroid had anything to do with the mcs (after all, I already had it when pg with DS), but I think it's good to cross this off the list. Who knows... And since my private health insurance covers this, I might as well have the check.

fridge Sorry that you're out. Have a large and some !

My cycles have also noticeably shortened since I had DS, and even more since my mcs. Not sure if that's anything to do with them, or if it's just age. I used to be 28-30 days, now it's 25-26... but my ovulation also seems to have moved forward, so at least it all still seems 'in proportion'.
7DPO today - I hate this bit, just waiting and waiting. AF due next Tuesday, and like reni, I am an avoider and am not planning to test before that.

Cloud, i think one can never say fibroid does not cause problems, because it did not before. They grow and change, so good you are getting it checked out!

Gum, do you think using estrogen cream plus isoflavones? They are both the same effect, so you need to think how to not overdo things maybe? I have no idea how strong th cream is though.....

Fromwest, good to hear things are looking good! Symptoms will start to come and go for sure for some weeks now, so the rollercoaster is truly on now! Good luck!

I am back from mountin,s massively tired, but have to work tomorrow.....Breasts still sore, so I am hoping for a heartbeat on Friday, even if I know it would be best not to, in case....

Gum, is your GP aware of the isoflavones? Hives can be caused by estrogens, could they be related?

Oh wow, Reni, I didn't think of that.Maybe it is the isoflavones? Perhaps I have too much estrogen rather than not enough? So, can someone tell me, doesn't estrogen drop off as you get closer to menopause or does it get too high? So

Jass, I just thought if the isoflavones didn't work, maybe the cream would? But, I can't find much information on the net at all. It seems that it's really for once you have gone through the menopause. I might just leave it, and just use the progesterone cream in the LP.

Well, I am feeling a bit down as I had a very close-to-positive OPK last night, in fact, normally I'd call it positive, but because I don't want to call it positive, I am in denial. I did another OPK this morning, but it was lighter (most likely because it is morning). I also had a very low temperature, which kinda indicates I may ovulate in the next 12 - 48 hours, and DH won't be home until tomorrow night. Argh!

However, I've not got the watery CM yet, so maybe it will hold off. Maybe I just have to relax and listen to my Dr,"if it's meant to be..."

I still have some clomid in the cupboard. I've always worried that using it might do something drastic and cause instant menopause, so I haven't used it. Maybe I should consider it as a last hurrah? I keep hearing that women over 40 shouldn't use it.

It doesn't help that I dreamt of a darling little baby girl last night. It is hard to think I will have to wait for grandchildren when I just want one last babe of my own.

Gum Here’s some info on hormones/perimenopause: www.ion.ac.uk/information/onarchives/perimenopause Hope it helps. I haven’t looked into it much, but I believe SI is used by a lot of women to treat menopausal symptoms, so I was apprehensive about using it for TTC. No idea about the cream, though I’ve only heard about it in relation to menopause treatment. Also I know that testosterone levels in women drop around menopause time. I think your doctor is right. Just relax, and if it’s meant to be… And step away from the Clomid!!

JassS Fingers crossed for tomorrow. Thinking of you. Will be looking out for your update.

FromWest hope all still good with you.

Fridge Sorry you’re out for the time being. Not long again before you can start TTC again.

How about you, reni?

Cloud thanks for reminding me what your MRI is about. Hope the investigations go well. Is always good to eliminate any possible issues. I am still considering getting another laparoscopy and possibly a D&C. Had one before by an Asherman’s expert and it may have helped in the long run. As far as your cycles go, as long as LH is 12 days or more then the cycle length shouldn’t matter.

I did a quick search for the oldest woman to have conceived and had a child. She was 59! Apparently on HRT too!! I think her little boy will be 18 soon! There was a 53 year old who conceived and had a son recently too. So perhaps we should all stop panicking.

Conceptions at 46-47 are quite common indeed. And of course you should stop panicking:-) It only takes one egg in good shape!
Scan tomorrow only 17.00, so do ot hope for an early update. Still some weak spotting, not all the time and more like just the normal flow, just not white but brownish (sorry tmi).
Have been eating chocolate and junk to keep me optimistic.

Fireflies, exactly, I also read about SI in menopause symptoms treatment and started coming up the stories when women then suddenly conceived at their ripe old age! Of course finally we never know how these supplements we take actually affect us. Maybe its all just placebo effect and anecdotal evidence that any of this expensive crap has helped someone is not worth that much, but as long as the supplements do not have negative health effects we need to keep teying and experimenting......

Hello! Thinking of you tomorrow Jass xx
All fine here and still keeping up with everyone's news. Laurie now 17 months and just,starting to walk.
Gum, you may still be ok timing wise, def worth a try! Love to all xxx

No AF yet, but the wipe and squint looked pinkish twice (tmi? one loses all sense of propriety with this TTC lark ) so might be on the way. Good luck to all, scans and results...

Jass ....fingers crossed for you xxx
Hello everyone !!!
Nothing to report just tired tired after some awful days.... dpo 7 so too early for anything anyway.... xxx to all

Thankyou FF, that's a very informative article, and quite an extensive list of supplements! I started my "pregnenolone" this morning. It is supposed to be a "A precursor to every other hormone" which "Promotes hormonal balance". So I thought I'd give it s shot. I now have four sups in the morning: prenenolone, CoQ10, quercertin (acts like an antihistamine and an anti-inflammatory) and folic acid; and 5 sups with dinner: I take Fermented fish oil,a multivitamin, zinc,Vit B,vit D. Surely it has to be doing some good???

Hi Deige! I can't believe Laurie is 17 months. I love the stage when they first start to walk - just so cute! How are you coping with the work/life balance? Just yesterday I got home tired after a big day teaching and marking - reports due on Monday- and DS had a meltdown.He's tired too. It is week 7 of a 9 week term, and we're all feeling it. And My Dh is away too. Anyway, got home, DS was crying hysterically outside on the stairs (because I wouldn't take him fishing ). And I thought, sometimes this gig is just too hard! I wanted to have a little cry. But instead I put on my yoga clothes, left Dd (14) in charge, and spent an hour doing yoga. I very nearly didn't go.It all felt too hard. Even my yoga clothes felt wrong. But I did it and walked away a completely different person - ready to go back home and face dinner and bedtime.

How does everyone else keep the work/life balance, or do you feel work takes up more time than you'd like?

Well, I am pretty sure I've missed the boat for this month.My cervix is firm and shut tight this morning. OPK was clearly negative last night. Ah well, there's nought I can do about it. I started to panic a bit this morning, because DH is going away for two weeks (in two weeks time), and I thought, "what if I miss another month???" But it turns out, if A turns up 14 days after O, then he'll be back in time next month.

This is rather amusing, considering I'd given up TTC, isn't it? Looks like I am still giving it a shot.

Jass, I hope all goes well today. I have everything crossed for you.

It is such a horrible roller coaster. This morning I have concinced meself all is OK, cause internet is full of womenwho spot and go to term. Yes,but I am not one of those....Keep having dreams of seeing a real baby on the ultrasound, even if I know it is much more likely to see the face of the doctor get serious and say "I am sorry, there is no heartbeat"......

Really hoping for you Jass. I had the "sorry there's no heartbeat" dream the other night.

Jass - I'll be thinking of you later today, hoping your scan shows everything's just fine

And Reni - any news? I do hope AF stays away - you're a few days late now aren't you?

Will be thinking of you today, jass. Fingers crossed you get some encouraging scan results

Fingers crossed here too jass

Hoping for the best, JassS.

I feel I am out, day 29 of a usually 24 day cycle and I'm spotting. Sulk.

just thought i'd pop in and say hello...first time poster here, so please be gentle...!!

to cut a long story short i'm 46yo with adenomyosis and suspected PCO and was told 3 months ago that my chances of ever having a child were minimal to non-existant...oh and i think i'm pregnant with my 1st... lol

won't know for sure tho for another week as that's when AF is due and i shall be taking a test or three...

Moonstone, good luck! Is your adenomyosis diffuse or compact? With diffuse version there is no reason why you should not have a baby. Good luck with the testing!

Bad news from me, afraid. No heartbeat. And the most cruel part - had I for example gone in for US 2-3 days ago, there would have been a heartbeat. The baby was measuring ahead of dates, spot on according to my Ov tests, 9+3, but was lifeless. This is far the worst I had had it was loss of a fetal pole. I have been rationalising that losing a blighted ovum or sth which never looked like a baby was not so bad. This. is. bad.

Return to clinic tomorrow 8.30 for D&C. Have asked to be skanned once more, even if I accept what my doc says, he is 1000% sure there is no mistake. And I saw it myself - there is no heartbeat......
Can not cry. Kids will ask questions. i got a pixture, and it looks so damn real.....

So sorry for your loss Jass. It is heartbreaking. Please allow yourself to cry, even if you have to escape to the shower for half an hour to have some time alone. Can you talk to dh?

jassS to be perfectly honest i have no idea...i was simply diagnosed with adenomyosis and took that as a given...until you mentioned it i wasn't aware there were two versions...the letter i was given to hand to my doctor just stated adenomyosis so i didn't question it...i guess i'll have to get in touch with my consultant again and ask him to be a bit more forthcoming with his diagnosis...

i'm so sorry you've had bad news btw...

Jass I'm so so sorry, I've been really hoping everything would be ok for you. It is just so sad.
I had similar with my third MC, baby had stopped growing at 8w6d, and also my children didn't know I was pregnant so I had to hold it together and act normally even when my heart was breaking. It is such a difficult time for you and your DH.
I was given a picture too and though I found it really hard to look at it at the time,still it was a comfort to me to have it,it is a tangible link to the baby that I never got to have with my other miscarriages as I hadn't been scanned before I lost them.
I hope the ERPC goes as well as it can do for you tomorrow, sending you love xxx