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

[ababsurdum]

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

Ali I was just wondering whether follicle size was something else to worry about...

Fingers crossed re the swimmers finding their way northwards

Diagrams on Foresight are in the blogs section: www.foresight-preconception.org.uk/what-is-natural-family-planning/

Trigger shot done, tomorrow insemination. Wish me luck!

Best wishes for tomorrow cthulhoo!

Good luck cthulhoo!!! Hope all will go well!

Sounds like a good weekend Ali... Fingers crossed for you.

Hope everyone else is ok too.

Good luck Cthul!

All done, and DP's latest sperm analysis for today's IUI looked really good (he was a bit worried because we just about managed the minimum number of abstinent days before the procedure ;).

The doctor who did the procedure said he hoped we'd be able to have good news for Christmas and gave us a 'Good luck!' card from the clinic, with a chocolate treat attached. It was so sweet (the gesture, not the chocolate), I welled up a little - they were so nice and they seemed genuinely hopeful and it suddenly seemed a tiny bit more realistic and as if it could actually happen.

My plan now is to take it slow, drink litres upon litres of peppermint tea (because I need to drink lots and stay off coffee), and wait. And hope. And then take a test on December 23.

That's great Cthul! We can drink peppermint tea together over the next fortnight! (Does it help)?

I'm planning on laughing my way through the TWW with comedy every night.

Is it a blood test on 23rd?

That is so sweet of the clinic...

I always drink peppermint tea so in an effort to find something different during the TWW I've discovered that Aldi sell "prosecco" flavoured tea

Alibaba They would have scheduled a pregnancy test on the 23rd but we're travelling from the 20th on so can't make that test. But they said any pregnancy test from the pharmacy will do so assuming there are no other signs (positive or negative) that's the earliest date I'll allow myself to test. I'm choosing peppermint because it seems like the easiest tea of which I can drink lots; I plan to drink black and green tea in moderation, but I don't like fruit tea and roibush.
I've got my fingers crossed for you, Alibaba, perhaps we can both celebrate christmas with a BFP!

City - prosecco-flavoured tea sounds awesome! I might have to look out for that one. :)

Cthulhoo I don't know whether its my imagination and the fact that I am wine starved but the tea did actually taste like prosecco. Its mainly apple based. Everything crossed for santa bringing you a BFP.

Here I seem to have lower back pain, aching front (around the ovary region) and occasionally feel nauseous. I never feel like this post-ovulation. Possibly a couple of days before AF arrives but AF is over a week away. Any ideas?

How many dpo are you City? I find I get all sorts of symptoms in the TWW. I never know what they are. Sometimes 5po, sometimes 7dpo but normally 9dpo. In my case, it's probably the corpus luteum breaking down at 9dpo but my temps stay high. I don't get it really...

citybumpkin, I'm going to be the one who says it could be implantation cramps? I don't know how long your cycles are, but anything between 6 and 12 days (hence, on average, 9) could be implantation.

Cthul, what do the injections do and do they treat the sperm at all?

Cthulhoo and Ali I don't know re implantation. Isn't it just cramping for a little while? This has been for a few days now. Usual cycle is 30-32 days. Its now 7dpo.

Alibaba, there are two types of injections, menotropin (brand name Menopur) and chorionic gonadotrophin (brand name Brevactid). The first stimulates the ovaries to improve follicle growth, the second (as I understand) has two functions, 1) trigger ovulation and 2) increase secretion of progesterone which in turn thickens the uterus lining. I had injections of Menopur from the second day of my cycle until the ninth and then a trigger shot of Brevactid. From tomorrow on until either a BFN or the end of the first trimester, I'm also taking progesterone (brand name Progestan) which I understand is to generally improve chances of making the it stick by also thickening the uterus lining.

The sperm was treated in two ways: the ejaculate was washed so only the sperm remained and then they did a swim-up test, which is exactly what it sounds like and identifies the healthiest and strongest sperm. Only those were then used for the insemination.

It amazes me the things they can do. To wash something that is so tiny/delicate and then see how their swimming is. Amazing.

Often the cramps continue as the uterus starts growing. I had loads of cramps in last pg, I was convinced it was AF.

It must really increase chances of conception. My periods are so light I'm worried lining is too thin. Did they measure your lining?

Arghhhhhhhhhhhhh Ali! I've convinced myself its stress related and shall await AF at some point.

Alibaba, they didn't measure my lining. I'm assuming they're just throwing everything at it to increase overall chances. I take everything that I can get. :)

City still keeping my fingers crossed for you. When is the earliest you can test?

Well City, if you're a worst-case scenario person like me and it helps you to await AF then I get that.

Cthul, yes I would too! I wouldn't mind a bit of what you're taking

I'm trying vitamin e this month to increase womb lining but imagine I might need something stronger...

Here's to peppermint tea, comedy and BFPs.. Good luck everybody! I have a blood test for Wednesday. Of course I'm worried in case results aren't good or progesterone not high enough and hopes let down!

Ali, Emma cannon book has section on light periods and recommendations (mixture of Chinese / conventional medicine). Hopefully ull get bfp this month but can pm you pages if not in case helpful.

Oh thanks Clara, I have that book. I'll check it out now. Good luck for Weds!

Hi all. Just popping in to wave hello and wish everyone good luck. Congrats to the bfps and all the best to everyone else.

Sorry I'm not responding to anyone individually at the moment. I'm struggling with xmas and can't wait for it all to be over. I've become a bit of a recluse.

I'm on day 9 of pre-IVF hormone priming. Not feeling any different. Don't know if it'll work, but for £3.11 it's worth a try xxx

Clara101 I'm wishing you good luck for your blood test on Thursday.
MrFuzzyGreen fingers crossed for you too. Hope you get through the xmas holidays okay.