40+ ttc: the one where we all get knocked up!

[ababsurdum]

Shiny new thread. Here's the link to the previous one.

Ouch to Cthulhoo - hope both you and DH aren't suffering too much today.

Thanks for the positivity Pies, its very much needed right now. Ever feel that the world is conspiring against you...? Hmmm...

Ali good luck with a LOT of DTD this weekend

Everything is crossed for you Clara!

City, I didn't answer your question yesterday (just reading back). I've just turned 41 (eek, how did that happen!)

I take very similar supplements to you. What dose of ubiquinol do you take? I take 200mg/day but might increase to 300mg. I also do the pineapple thing.

I've wondered if FSH varies dependent on what day your bloods are taken. They can be taken from cd1-3 right? But they increase throughout the cycle so surely it would be higher on cd3 than cd1? Especially for someone like me who ovs early (cd11-12). I was actually wondering if the oestrogen kicking in was what interrupted my period as I go straight from AF to ewcm.

(Over-analysing everything as usual)!

Not to worry Ali, I've found that I get lost in threads and then feel guilty for not responding to all PPs. I had the same feeling re age. 40 but yet I still feel 18. I had a conversation earlier with a work colleague in which I was told that I can't possibly know of "Are you being served?" I was born when it first aired but know of it. I look younger than I am.

Ubiquinol = 300mg once per day. Bought from Amazon. I will damned well eat that pineapple after the amount of effort it took!

Both FSH tests were on the same day (day 3). I suppose they can be taken at any time days 1-3 but I think NHS/clinics go for consistency? I have trouble pinpointing exact ovulation as my cycle can vary by a few days each month. I've always had a slightly longer cycle i.e. up to 35 days. Only really had one positive OPK at the end of last year and that was on day 15. This cycle I think I may have ovulated slightly earlier as, like you, got ewcm a couple of days after AF disappeared.

We can over-analyse together!

DP and I are getting better at this ... well, sort of. I managed to break the tip of the ampoule without anyone getting hurt, he skillfully made the injection (which was painless) but must have hit a blood vessel because suddenly there was some blood. Not an alarming amount, just more than we both expected from something that wasn't even painful, and he had to run for a tissue while I was trying not to bleed on my jeans ... #-)

For now we're taking it both with a lot of humour.

Sounds like a bit of progress cthulhoo!

Well done cthulhoo!

Well nothing new here but that's good news. Just hoping it can stay that way.

Ali/City, I don't know much about the detail of FSH/AMH but I have read that results can change for the better over the course of a few months, eg if you are supplementing stuff your body needed or changed diet / cut alcohol etc. I reckon that makes sense and it's not as simple as an age related downward trend as some gloomsters wd have us think.

Clara the age related comments/news stories does tend to get you down. I'm just trying to throw everything at it before we considering the other options. Hope all is well with you.

Oh yes I know what you mean City. I q like this lady even tho she is q wacky. claudiaspahr.com/a-mid-forties-baby-bump/

Stuff like this gives me faith when I wonder if I can possibly make it to 12 weeks at 44.

In throwing everything at it don't know if you've considered foresight. I like their approach and have followed it when ttc. www.foresight-preconception.org.uk

I think there is a lot of commonality between their recommendations and books eg It all starts with the egg, and the impatient women's guide to getting pg. Also Zita west and Emma cannon.

Just back from a work dinner where ended up being v sick in the toilets.. I was lucky and never got actual throwing up in previous pregnancy so bit of a shock.. I guess it's a positive sign pending blood test but not enjoying that particular sign, DP away and not told any one else besides you ladies!

How is everyone else doing?.

Blood test and ultrasound today. Apparently one side had only small follicles so isn't active this month; the other side had one around 14mm and two more small ones coming up. They would like them to be closer to 16-20 mm so would like me to continue hormone injections unless the blood test results indicate that I'm close to ovulation anyway. So I'm waiting for the blood test results to find out more.

Thanks for the info cthulhoo. I've read most of the books (well dipped into them) but haven't heard of the foresight one so shall be heading over there shortly. Fingers crossed re the blood tests!

I'm feeling a bit disheartened today. There is a lot going on in my life at the moment and feel that a bumpkin will never appear.

Sorry confused clara with cthulhoo, mind elsewhere and multi-tasking. Oops. Must learn to slow down...

So thanks for the info clara and FX for the tests cthulhoo. Did I get that right this time?

City I think you got it right -- I was momentarily confused which book suggestions I had made because I couldn't remember any! ;)

Also, I I hear you on being disheartened. The numbers aren't on our side, sadly. The first few months of trying I was always hopeful, but now the possibility of becoming pregnant has become a vague, abstract concept rather than something I genuinely expect to happen to me. I'll be crossing my fingers for you and am sending you virtual .

Clara - congrats on being sick (no, really, good sign)! When is your blood test? Thanks for those links. I needed some new positive material!

Cthul - when do you get the blood results? Fingers crossed you have a bit longer until ov.

City - I know exactly how you feel. I'm sure positivity helps but how to do it when we are constantly bombarded with negative stats. Where are you in your cycle? I have been feeling slightly more positive since AF ended.

Cthulhoo maybe you did suggest some books, maybe not, who knows?!

I think I just need to stop reading things (apart from this thread and the others I am on) as everything becomes a very negative blur. It is what it is and I can only do my best (as can DP) to ensure that we have the best possible chance. Feeling very bloated and I've just actually patted my belly and whispered "one day". I too shall cross my fingers and here is some...ermm...

Ali I just need to keep telling myself I will be one of those positive stats. Currently on CD20 (5DPO). BD at the right time so in the TWW. The end of AF is always a positive thing, so much hope, then ovulation, then TWW, then hello AF again. Why do we put ourselves through this torture?

Last week I went out with friends on a Friday night. I was stood at the bar awaiting my drink (wine, wine oh how I love you) and looked over at the sofas and there was a woman sat breastfeeding her little one. The middle of a busy pub on a high street, surrounded by noise, booze and xmas lights. To me the sight was just idyllic and I admit, dammit, I shed a tear.

Blood tests are in and ovulation seems to be fairly close because DP and I now have an appointment Monday morning for insemination. Two more hormone shots, then a trigger shot Sunday evening, insemination Monday morning and then ... hoping and waiting.

Considering the size of the follicles earlier today I'm not too hopeful because it feels as if they're not getting enough time to grow to the right size. But the clinic is still going ahead so I'm assuming they think the chances aren't too awful.

Wooohooo cthulhoo! I'm excited for you. I want to ask so many questions about the process but part of me is still resigned plodding on and conceiving naturally.

Oh best of luck with your shots and appointment on Monday Cthulhoo!

City, sorry you're feeling disheartened and lots going on. When I first found foresight their site was more old fashioned but they had more stories with personal journeys from couples with unexplained infertility and their happy endings which I liked.

On that note, have you ladies read the story of Jessie who started the other 40s thread and finally got her happy ending through IVF? It is so hard to stay positive when the evidence each month is against. But reading the positive stories can help I think.

Thanks for the encouragement Ali!! I have blood test on Thurs. Btw some of the Spahr site is a bit crackers. But some of it is v good I think and essentially same as Foresight.

I quite liked the Foresight explanation of the monthly cycle with accompanying diagrams.

Yes, I was on the thread with Jessie. It was fantastic new for her after her journey! Positive stories are great but I can't help but feel down at times.

Agreed re Spahr - she does seem a bit nuts!

Citybumpkin ask ahead! I'm crossing my fingers that you'll get your BFP soon.

Perhaps if there is no BFP this month cthulhoo. Thank you for keep your FX for me

Cthul, the follicles weren't far off 16mm so they must be fairly confident they will reach that size by Sunday/Monday.

Fuzzy/Pies - how are you doing?

I'm now concerned about follicle size. I have no idea?!

How are things with you Ali?

Why are you worried about follicle size City?

I'm ok thanks. Ovulated last night and dtd fri and sat so hope the swimmers met the egg!

City - where would I find the Foresight diagrams? I had a look on their website and looks like they do hair and stools analysis initially- is that right?

I have an ultrasound booked for xmas eve but it's not within the fertility dept, so I guess they'll just look for fibroids and cysts rather than measuring lining and follicles...