40+ ttc: 2018 is full of bfp's!

[Orchid222]

Ladies, the old thread has finished, here's a new one.

Hello ladies. Nothing to report my end. AF due tomorrow - have no hopes for anything - not even a bleed as usual symptoms have eluded me (I thought my period was coming on day 18 - but failed to come) day 28 today - no inkling if anything. I have my last week of TCM this week, and I must admit I’ve lost the will to take the herbs twice a day, and taking vits at the moment is a struggle - does anyone else feel like this during the TWW? I always lose enthusiasm and application to the cause when I know it’s not worked 😬 Also, after 4 months I’ve ditched the DHEA - I was getting really spotty and that’s just not me, seriously getting through a tub of Benefit concealer !
If anyone wants the rest of the tub I’ve about 75 tablets I reckon.. happy to pass on...

@Faith - sorry to hear you’re feeling so down - I am also struggling to keep positive through the TWW - it’s not easy.

Trying to keep hopeful here at 7dpo - had extremely tender boobs since 1-2 dpo which is unheard of for me, plus a night of incredibly vivid dreams last night and now my cervix is soft and closed. I also had an HSG a few weeks ago and the doc says this improves fertility in the following few months so I’m keeping my fingers crossed 😊

I O’d on day 13 so that would normally mean a 24/25 day cycle for me so I have an anxious 5 days ahead lol.

If anyone else is struggling with their TWW and would like someone to talk to please feel free to message me - I don’t really have anyone to go through this with except my poor long suffering DH so would be happy to chat to others going through the same thing. It’s amazing how much less alone I’ve felt just since finding this thread!

Hi Faith sorry you're struggling with the motivation. I know it's nowhere like the same, but when I'm struggling with my weight (often) and I've been doing everything right but it's not working I find it really hard not to say "oh sod it" and to stay the course. Although the motivation for you is obviously more important than being able to wear nice jeans! So hope you get your mojo back. x

Critter I'm finding this thread and all the knowledge in it, including yours, so helpful. I've only just started Cycle 1 (AF finally arrived after being awol) and I'm still daunted by all the tests and supplements and abbreviations and I'm in awe of all you lot know. I've only told one friend IRL that I'm going to TTC so I'm so grateful you ladies are here and although I'm too new to be any help to you feel free to message the other way too

This thread has made me smile. 😀 I will be the at 40 in 3 years time for bubba no5. Loving all the bfp's going on 😁 xx

Hi@KeepingTheFaith9 theTWW is just dreadful... as af date draws near I dread going to the loo just incase It has arrived early... I luckily have a dear friend who is very understanding and is keeping her fingers crossed for me.. this thread is very helpful from making us all go bonkers on our baby making path

Ladies, I've booked an appointment to see the doc tomorrow but I'm wondering what the point is really...
Has anyone's docs been helpful? Or will I get turned away as im a 41 year old with 2 kids already? Just to recap I had 3 miscarriages last year and a brief positive stick for about 3 days last month! Is there anything they can do to help realistically?

Hi Weasle

My GP immediately arranged FSH, LH and progesterone tests, sperm analysis and sent a referral to the fertility clinic (that was 4 months ago and still waiting for the NHS appt. so currently preparing to do IVF privately), but unfortunately they won’t do AMH testing as it’s expensive and this is considered the best indicator for predicting your chances I believe. Definitely worth going as he did all he was able to and it helped me emotionally to get the good results back from the tests 😊

Thanks for all the positive vibes ladies... I guess I just feel like I’ve done something stupid to my cycles with the TCM - as this is the second month in a row it’s all out of sinc.. beginning to wish I’d left well enough alone.. 😕 Weasle I will be very interested to know what you GP says. When I asked to be referred to see a fertility specialist he basically said No - you are too old - go private. Since then I’ve wondered if I should go back and ask for progesterone, FSH & LH... surely they can be done as just a blood test.. I will look forward to hearing what the Dr says to you. 🙏🏻😊 x

I think it depends on where you live - criteria for fertility treatment are different for different health boards - as I said my GP did all of those tests immediately and I am in Wales (aged 40), but I have heard of some ladies in England who were turned away simply for being over 35.
It’s definitely worth going as the GP will be able to tell you what the criteria are in your area.

Thanks ladies, I'll go :)

Morning all

I've been testing every day since AF finished and now on CD15 and still no ovulation... shall I just keep testing or is it now too late to ovulate. This could turn into an expensive habit!

Last month got AF two weeks apart but before that was quite regular and having ovulation symptoms...

It's v confusing

123 - I would just keep on testing. I thought I had o’ed on 11/12 this cycle (going on EWCM - as OPK’s never work for me) but I actually think it happened on day 18 after all. It’s annoying as hell as timing sex is such a challenge but I think you gotta keep on testing, seems to me that many people’s cycles go haywire once in a while... The others on here my have other/better advice. F x

Definitely keep testing. I almost always O on day 12 or 13 but a couple of months ago I randomly ovulated on day 17, been back to day 13 since - I think it was stress maybe.

Have you tried the Poundland ov testing strips.. sorry get lost with all the abbreviations.. wouldn't give there preg tests much time but the test strips seemed to work..

Hello there, I’ve been lurking for a few months here after a twin miscarriage last year. Just wanted to share that I had a bfp two days ago. I’m 42 and my three day fsh came in at 18.4 a couple of months ago.

Terrified but delighted - I really got a lot of info and support from this thread, so thanks .

BRILLIANT news Mitten!! Congratulations!
Lovely after such a difficult experience I’m sure. Did you do anything special this time around? Please share if you have anything that might be helpful. So encouraging to hear of this kind of success! X Babydust you. X 🙏🏻

Congrats mittens!!! Keep us updated on your progress :)

I went the docs and I'm glad I did! He made me feel much better about my age. In fact he was more optimistic than I was :)
Has prescribed high dose folic acid and baby aspirin to be taken when I get my next BFP :)
And I'm now 1DPO so fingers crossed :)

Hmmm123 When I conceived DC2 at age 42 I got a positive opk on cd17. That meant ovulation was imminent so it might even have been cd 18 when I actually did ovulate. I remember thinking I’d no chance as kept waiting for positive opk. That was a lovely successful pregnancy so hang in there!

Congratulations @mittensofsteel !! I turn 42 in June so thank you for the inspiration x

Congratulations Mittens! I'm your age so I was cheered up to hear of your BFP. I can imagine how nervous you are. Good luck! I also had a MC (MMC) but more recently. Did you start trying straight away after yours?

Congrats Mittens - that’s amazing news and so inspiring 😊

@Weasle - really glad you’re feeling more positive and the doc was helpful!

MITTENS - Congratulations!!

Also ladies - just watching This Morning and noticed Sharon Marshall the soap / tv writer and she looked very pregnant! I immediately googled and she is 46 and expecting her first child in July - a little bit more positive news for all of us xx

Thanks for all the notes of congratulations .

I would have ttc straight after the ERPC but it took 10 hellish weeks to get any sign of a cycle back. Then three months of 19/29 day cycles with no positive opks. I did have the usual ovulation pains but absolutely no EWCM at all despite robotussin and grapefruit and tons of water.

The FSH OF 18.4 was really upsetting but found out that it can fluctuate lots (I think a poster said the same on here). Was worried too because I suddenly started sprouting a few chin hairs and seemed to gain nearly a stone for no good reason.

In the last 6 weeks I’ve cut back on carbs and I also had some acupuncture (3 appointments in total so not lots) with the same acupuncturist who saw me after a miscarriage 7 years ago (I got pregnant soon after on that occasion) and was prescribed herbal medication to take as well (apparently I’m too “cold”).

So, this cycle just gone I took the Chinese medicine, folic acid and used conceive plus as usual and didn’t have many carbs. I also took vitamin D and evening primrose oil which I hadn’t used before. I genuinely didn’t have any symptoms in the 2ww apart from a tiny bit of insomnia so really, really wasn’t expecting a BFP and didn’t check until the day my AF was due.

I did take Maca powder and wheatgrass pellets the month before for the high FSH but stopped just in case it was too much with the Chinese medicine.

One thing which really psychologically helped was the nurse in the GP’s office telling me she sees women in their 40’s all the time and not to tie myself in knots if it didn’t happen immediately.

Thank you again for all the info on this thread and hoping the baby dust is catching

Mittens - congratulations!! So great to hear positive stories like yours. Thanks for taking the time to come on here and share. Also I love hearing about 46 year old pregnant celebs:) Thanls Mattsmama

Weasel - great to hear you’re feeling positive from your gp appointment. My consultant said the same. She said 42 was no age at all and that she sees hundreds of pregnant ladies our age. She said it can just take longer the older you get.

I’m either 7 or 11dpo (I had what seemed to be two positive opks this month and two bouts of ewcm four days apart!) so I’m gearing up for either a bfp or total disappointment as my hopes are up after having had the HSG last month. It better be the former!

Congratulations Mittens xxxxxxxx