Newbie - TTC - 40yrs

[user1497522420]

Hello, a complete newbie here. My OH (38) and I have recently decided to 'try' (hate that term). We're both fairly fit, and have a well balanced diet. Although, we haven't given up caffeine or alcohol completely. Is it crucial to abstain completely at this stage?
We only started TTC a month ago and cycle 1 was unsuccessful. Did use the Clearblue Ovulation kit last month too and will probably use it again for cycle 2. Have also been taking folic acid daily. OH has a child aged 9 from a previous relationship. I've don't have any children.

As I am 40yrs, would it be wise for me to get fertility tests done now?
Not sure what fertility tests entail exactly but obviously with my age, I'm wondering if it is already too late to conceive naturally.
I may have PCOS (undiagnosed but show various symptoms) but I did have a pregnancy over 20 years ago which didn't work out through personal circumstances.

We would consider going private (cost pending) if the NHS does not cover what we may need. So if anyone has any recommendations, it would be hugely appreciated.

Apologies, if this post is all higgledy-piggledy. Always open to suggestions if I'm doing this all wrong! :)

I posted about fertility tests yesterday and someone said they had been to create! Not sure where you're based but they might have a clinic near you? I'm looking at going there for a fertility MOT. I think it's a good idea because IF there is a problem, rather than get my hopes up every month waiting to test when I stand no chance, I would rather just know. And if there's no problem then that's reassuring!

Best of luck to you and your DH!

I had co-enzyme q10 suggested to me for egg quality too.

Thanks for replying McTufty! That's very helpful. We are based in London. I'll take a look at Create and see if there is one near us.

I suppose a general search for fertility clinics should be helpful! Cheers. Anyone else with any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I went to Create for a couples' MOT. They were nice but I didn't really get any answers apart from that my AMH was fairly good for my age (also 40). They assumed I would want to go straight for ivf so started making plans for me even though I hadn't asked.

I am reading It Starts With the Egg which is useful if slightly overwhelming. I've ordered some Co Q10.

Fertility tests could be useful although they won't pick up on everything, your egg reserve could be checked along with your uterus and tubes. It'd be very useful for DH to get his semen tested too as that's very closely correlated with time-to-pregnancy.

Given your age, it is likely to take a fair bit longer and there's a greater risk of problems e.g. miscarriage.

If you feel very very determined to have a baby, I probably wouldn't delay as over 40 every month matters.

Good luck!

Hello!

Join us on the 40+ttc board?

It's only been one cycle, you're going to need some patience. If you have monthly periods and roughly know when you ovulate save the money for another time. Test results aren't really much use to be honest. You could have low amh (quantity) but amazing quality or conversely high amh but poor quality. Fsh is only really of value if your periods are erratic and day 21 progesterone will only tell you if you've ovulated that month.

Try temping alongside you opk and get yourself an app like fertility friend or ovia to track your cycles and symptoms but more importantly enjoy the process. Getting caught up in the mechanics and planning is a real passion killer and you may have many months of ttc ahead of you so you don't want to lose the passion. Fwiw I'm almost 42 and have a 4day old baby so I've been there.
Good luck

Hi Teabagtits (hahaha love the name),
Thank you soooo much for this post. It's very helpful. You're right, I could feel myself getting all stressy the more I was reading online. Of course that's not to say that it hasn't all been an education.

Periods have always been fairly regular, so I will use an app and start 'enjoying'!
Cheers!