35+ TTC#1 Thread 3

[Blondcat]

We seem to have filled up our last thread so here is a new one.

A wonderful bunch of ladies supporting each other through the ttc journey when trying for a first baby after 35.

Goodluck to all ladies we can do it

@Chelonia sorry to hear that you’ve hurt yourself. How awful, no fun at all!

Well Strawberries and cream bailey’s is amazing. Obviously over ice. But it definitely needs to be tasted 👌. It’s nice and light not at all sickly. Only the texture is the same as the original.

Sending lots of luck for everyone waiting to test 🤞

@Bambi sorry about AF 🙁. But atleast you are getting things moving.

So how many bloods are needed? And what e exactly are they testing for? Is it to see if a person is actually ovulating?

@BambiOnIce80 sorry AF found you, but your results are progress in the right direction 👍🏻 Here’s to DP getting the desired results too.

Not sure about you but I almost felt like although AF was a blow, I felt like I had a couple of weeks to regroup emotionally and concentrate on other things.

It’s a weird sort of limbo, and I’m quite surprised really, I can tell the theme is going to be waiting 😴 We did have a nice long talk, after such a frantic weekend it was lovely and quiet and nice to share a little bit of cautious excitement together.

@Cnizzle are you still poorly? Hope you are ok 💐

Good luck to those yet to test🤞🏻Xx

Here's to cautious excitement @MrsRRC 🥂🤞🏻🍀

@Carley32 the CD21 is progesterone to see if you're ovulating and the CD0-5 one is to check things like if there's any sign of polycystic ovary syndrome, thyroid issues, peri/menopause or a low ovarian reserve (several different hormone levels but thankfully all out of one little tube 💉😉).

DP's back from the lovely doctor lady and has a perfectly normal SA report. She said the volume thing was nothing to worry about because the count was absolutely fine 👍 Whilst he was there she saw that my bloods were back from this morning already, so she rang me to go through them there and then (she really is bloody lovely 😍). All normal except for a marginally raised prolactin which she reckons will most likely be down to stress (after DP's whirlwind week of losing and gaining a job - stressed, moi?! 🤯😂). She just wants me to get it done next month to recheck its not going up, but she basically suspects it's nothing.

So. No signs of peri/menopause, PCOS, thyroid issues and a perfectly normal ovarian reserve. That'll do 😊 Next step is to post our questionnaire for the ACU with our test dates in it back to the ACU and wait for the appointment. Progress 🙂

@Bambi. Oh that’s not to bad then. Nice and simple to get a a lot of answers I suppose!

That’s great news though. It’s all sounding very positive for you, and who knows a little peace of mind, may well get good and preggers this time around 😊.

It’s a shame we couldn’t all start some sort of destress group! I think that word could well be the problem to many unlucky baby dances!!

Oh @BambiOnIce That's great news about all your test results, I agree @Carley32 sometimes I think half the stress about TTC is the unknowns - could we be trying without knowing that there is something catastrophically wrong? At least, that's how it is for me.
@79andnotout I keep meaning to say, I'm very pleased that things seem to be moving forward for you, along a similar vein you at least have some answers now and a plan of action! And hopefully DP will get quite swept up in the excitement of it all! How is he doing with the new plan now?
@MrsRRC that's such an anticlimax, something so longed-for and completely lifechanging for you and someone behind a desk (in my mind sort of boredly chewing gum) tells you to take a number and get in line!! Rubbish!!
@Carley32 I have done some investigating. It would appear that strawberries and cream Baileys has not been released in the antipodes. Pants.
@Russkispy I just feel I need to let you know, you said you'd test Tuesday, well it's 9am Tuesday here..... just sayin'...

Back still "twangy" I know that's not a word I just think it sums it up beautifully this morning so I'm not at work, feeling a bit guilty as it's not that bad but I can't do anything for more than a minute in a row - if I'm sitting I need to stand, if I'm walking I need to sit, etc. Don't think I'd be productive at work anyway.
I keep thinking when I open my phone that I must be more careful if showing workmates etc anything on there - all my browser tabs are things like MN, Google "core exercises to do while pregnant", Fertility clinic details etc. Also vaguely on my mind is that I work in a field where, if I think I'm pregnant I need to tell them immediately and cease to do certain tasks as they would be dangerous to a foetus. Ideally I shouldn't be doing them at all when TTC but there's obviously a toss up between potential risk and common sense, I can't be burdening my colleagues for a fortnight every month!

Hi Ladies, just catching up. Congratulations @MrsRRC 🎉 Cross fingers for a healthy pregnancy 🤞x

Sounds like positive steps in the right direction @BambiOnIce 👍 Your Dr sounds lovely.

Sorry to hear about your back @Chelonia - that sounds painful

Hope everyone else is doing o.k. I seem to be on the mend just in time for af x

Yiles, struggling to kerp up with the messages over the weekend.
@chelonia its not worth risking further hurting yourself by going to work, dont feel guilty you need to put yourself first.
Great on the bloodwork @Bambionice another step nearer the ACS.
@Carley32 the baileys strawberry & cream is delish! I tried it at a bbq over the summer, Yum!

2nd day peak on the cbfm today, hopefully one more dtd before another looong 2ww of symptom-spotting!
@Russkispy hope you're feeling ok, fingers crossed for you x

Just took the test and it's BFN. It's crap of course. But the fight is not over till I get there. Whatever it takes! Next IUI next month. In the meantime will get going with my acupuncture and reflexology and all supplements I've been taking for a while now.

Hello everyone I'm 35 and TTC #1, one cycle in but waiting for endometriosis gynaecologist appointment to see how many issues I have/if I need surgery.

Good luck everyone!

@pattyhoo - welcome. Good luck with the tests.

@Russkispy - sorry about the BFN. Sounds like you have a good plan in action, though.

@CNizzle - fingers crossed this is your month!

@PixieN - here's to next month, then. Glad you're feeling better.

@Chelonia - do not feel guilty about taking time off to let your back recover. Backs are important! the number of my friends with dodgy backs these days is unreal. I thought it was something old men who'd had a life of hard labour got, not healthy sporty thirty year olds with desk jobs. Seems I was wrong!

@BambiOnIce80 - high five all those good test results! Are they going to shunt you through to IVF next? Or check for your tube blockages? What did you get for FSH, LH and progesterone out of interest? Anyway, if natural doesn't work out at least you have a great shot at IVF with good blood results. You might not be going on that Argentinian wine tour afterall :)

I'll have to give that Baileys a go, @Carley32, sounds lush. I wonder if I could make alcoholic mini-milks out of it? One to try in the summer...

All okay on my side. I'm coming up to fertile week. I'm bloody loving my 6.30am exercise classes, I'm feeling much fitter after only ten days. I'll be a machine by Christmas! Off for an eye test tomorrow though, where I think I will be made to get reading specs (I've had good eyes up till now). I will officially be middle aged :(

Alcoholic mini-milks are an ingenious idea @79andnotout!! I am in awe of that possibility!! 😮 Lovely doctor lady is printing the report out for me, so I'll get back to you with the hard numbers when I pick it up (I remember my progesterone was 73, so definitely higher than the 30 that indicated ovulation 👍).

Sorry for the BFN @Russkispy 💐 Sounds like you've got your next plan well in hand 🤞🏻🍀

Welcome @pattyhoo 👋 Fingers-crossed you won't need surgery 🤞🏻

Glad you're feeling better @PixieN 🙂 I hope AF stays away for you.

Definitely don't feel bad about being off when you're not fit to work @Chelonia! You can't mess around with backs! Don't want you doing more harm than good...

This thread seems to be getting really glitch when I open it - maybe because we're near to maxing out the posts? I've never tried starting a new thread before, but should I have a go?

Oh yes I was wondering about that too @Bambi. Go for it! (Imagine me looking over your shoulder excitedly as you do so, am definitely the sidekick egging the hero on when it comes to doing new brave things!!)
Thanks for the support folks, I've messaged work and they're totally fine with me not coming in tomorrow. Am sure it will come right by tomorrow night.
Two things happened today: I realised that my CD21 bloods should actually probably be taken later, maybe CD 22 or even 23 although that might be pushing it. Reason being that I'm pretty sure I ovulate around CD17/18 and the progesterone won't actually be peaking then the way it would if I ovulated on CD12 for example. According to this link!! www.fertilityassociates.co.nz/info-for-gps/hormones-explained-fsh-progesterone/
Which I'm pretty sure hasn't worked but hey. What do we think science geeks @79andnotout ? @Bambi ?
Also I found a really cool series on catchup that was screened here a couple of years ago following 6 couples with fertility treatments. I mentioned it to DP and he wanted to watch it and honestly it was the best thing ever. Not just great (emotional) watching but it really helped us both understand the various options and processes AND I think DP had a lightbulb moment where he realised he hadn't really been very diligent and needed to sort his SA and actually start taking the vitamins gathering dust on the shelf... one couple were talking at length about losing weight, cutting caffeine and alcohol etc, think he felt a bit shamefaced! And the statistics they were talking about made him realise that perhaps it wasn't just going to be a walk in the park...
Anyway I guess you guys won't be able to view it in the UK but I know some people have clever ways of accessing these things so this is the programme if you're interested!
www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/inconceivable
Hope everyone well this evening / morning!

@Russkispy I'm sorry for your bfn. onwards and upwards for next month.
Welcome @pattyhoo

@Chelonia - thanks for the link (I'm sure IT nerd OH can track it down). I would like this to manage expectations, as he still thinks it will all be fine and I worry about nothing.

How long is your luteal phase usually? My doc said 7 days before period is due. That is pretty consistent with the peak, apparently. So adjust depending on your cycle. I went 3 DPO as I have a pretty short luteal phase.

PS yes go for it @BambiOnIce80!

Thanks @79andnotout I have a fairly short luteal phase, usually a 26/27 day cycle so 9 days probably? That's annoying then. Maybe I'll go for CD21 after all, which would be tomorrow...and I'm off work so I could easily go get that done...hmm

yeah I'd go tomorrow @Chelonia.

Oooh I will then. How exciting 😱
I haven't had the CD0-5 bloods done yet though, do you think it matters that the results will be from two different cycles? Ie 21 from this cycle and CD3 from next cycle? Sorry silly question

Thank you, ladies. Somehow I thought it wouldn't work as the dominant follicle was on the left. Both my successful IUIs/pregnancies were from the right. Coincidence?
IUI is now booked. Will be flying home on cd10 after taking Clomid.
And potentially IVF in December if IUI doesn't work in November.
I'm determined to get my BFP and successful pregnancy. Again giving my everything each cycle.

@Chelonia - I don't think it matters. Not to just check you're ovulating.

@Russkispy - good luck for the next round. I hope it all works out to plan.

Hi all

Work has been a bit manic the last week so I've been a bit quiet on here. @Blondcat how are you getting on? Hope all is still well

@Bambi, glad to hear all test results came back normal - that sounds really positive! I hope my GP is as supportive and nice as yours is. @Chelonia - hope the back sorts itself soon.

I've been having a funny week. Got AF a few days early a couple of weeks ago, shattering the dream of tent baby. But it was much lighter and shorter than usual. I therefore thought maybe, just maybe it wasn't actually AF (yep, I'm turning into that deluded person!) but a few HPTs (why do one when you can have multiple nos?!) have said not pregnant. But my boobs have definitely grown and have been really sore and tender the last couple of weeks. Just been to the loo now and there is pink blood which looks like the start of AF....2 weeks after the last one! I am now so confused as to where I am in my cycle and what is going on. I had thought I was about to ovulate but the CB OPKs have just been giving me flashing smiley faces for the last week! I had such a regular cycle until I started TTC.

Hello everyone - been catching up on the thread!

@Chelonia I'm sure this is something you know already, but I have many annoying back problems, and my physio always says that your back will heal if you are lying flat on the floor, because that's the only time the vertebrae are all aligned properly. Just in case that helps! Hope you feel better very soon.

@MrsRRC - amazing! Wonderful news!

@Oxted2018 - that all sounds pretty baffling. Hope you manage to figure out where you're at with your cycle.

I had a classic "daring to dream" last few days. Some spotting two days ago (CD 21) so I thought, oh yes, here comes AF. Then nothing the next day, and nothing the day after... my boobs have been off the charts sore, and I was getting some little stabby twinges. I convinced myself they were implantation pains and the spotting was implantation bleeding.

I was even working out my due date (!!) and feeling a tiny bit sad not to be drinking at a big event in few weeks... Rookie error! This morning I had more spotting, bright red this time, which I'm now sure is the onset of AF. Nothing since the spotting, but I can't bring myself to buy a test because I'll feel stupid for throwing money away. Oh well, onwards and upwards I suppose!

@chelonia snap! I have done my back in as well. Feeling very sorry for myself. Work is also stressful and I feel like hibernating.

@MrsRRC congrats on your bfp!! How's it going?

I think ttc is on hold this month as DP is going abroad for work in my fertile week :)
These things happen!! Pressure off though, I might just forget about it until after Xmas now so I can be a bit more relaxed. I always get very wound up at xmas with all the socialising and family time.