35+ TTC#1 Thread 6

[BambiOnIce80]

Spring is in the air and it's time for a new thread!

Basically: a wonderful bunch of ladies supporting each other through the TTC journey when trying for a first baby after 35.

Here's hoping we get some spring BFP luck for all of us!! 🍀🐣🍀🐣

@Laney79 sorry to hear all that. Not wrt fertility, but have had issues with medical stuff myself with a condition I have that no-one can work out the cause 💐

@WrexhamBuxom if you know when ovulation happened then please try to relax about total cycle length. Your LP is more than likely consistant and late ovulation can be caused by so many things (e.g. one month I had a late one due to the stress of a sports event that I am the press officer for coinciding with usual ovulation day - put it back by about 5 days). And I can completely empathise with the cold feet feelings. I've been having them since we started TTC in January and now I have my BFP I can't help but feel that if something went wrong and I lost it, then it wouldn't be so bad as it will mean business as usual (had a bit of brown discharge last week so was on a bit of an alert). Obviously, I also feel terrible for thinking that too... I really cannot win (the way I'm feeling at the moment is not helping either... Bleugh).

Glad you enjoyed the gin festival @BambiOnIce80 !!

I have been dipping in and out of an antenatal thread but I really feel like I have more of a connection to you guys here 💐💐. You get none of the science geeky chat over there 😰 (and a bit too much chat about the kids they already have for my interest!)

Hi all

Congrats to Russkispy, and Venusstar - that’s amazing!

commiserations to the AFs...

I probably do not get enough iodine and had no idea it was even a thing to have enough/too much of! I don’t drink milk (I do eat cheese). Yet another thing to think about!!

I have my follow up appt at the IVF clinic next week and am massively in 2 minds about how much I can be faffed with the whole thing... part of me almost hopes there is something wrong with me or DH which the NHS didn’t find, so we can draw a line under all this....Is that awful?! The appointment is to discuss my ovarian reserve and DHs sperm analysis results. That said, the fact that I have also been booked in for a follow up appt with the nurse same day, “in case I want to start treatment”, suggests that all results are fine...

Thanks for thinking about me and asking @Kescilly. I'm in two minds and flitting between them. Logically I don't understand how it could be possible but today I've been feeling more hopeful and allowing myself to believe that it could happen. I've been for a walk today and seen 3 sets of 2 magpies (2 for joy). I don't know if I allow myself to hope / dream is that going to make me feel worse if it's a bad outcome? They got me to use a pillow to prop my pelvis up at this scan but the first time they didn't, which feeds my negative thoughts that this is the original pregnancy and they just missed it the first time round. Although the staff were not thinking it was the first pregnancy, they thought it was a new one. Just over a week until we find out. The positives are it's brought me and dh closer, he's been a real rock for me.

How are you doing @Kescilly? How much longer do you have left?

@VenusStarr it must be such a tricky time, trying to manage your expectations and feelings. I can understand what you mean about being hopeful. I think it’s easy to worry that if there was a negative outcome, it would somehow be our fault. Of course we shouldn’t have been optimistic, these bad feelings are our own fault, etc.

But really we would feel bad regardless. I believe in managing expectations, but not for accepting responsibility when it comes to events we can’t control. That includes negative feelings attached to events.

Either way, I will remain cautiously optimistic for you and I’m so glad it’s brought you closer together.

I’m 31+5 today so not much longer! Which of course has sent me into a panic mode about how the house is a disaster and we have nothing ready. Next week is the start of a total bathroom renovation with everything pulled out and redone. We’ve hired people but I’m worried about the mess and the cat. I think I will actually have to stay somewhere else for at least the first few days, since I’m so sensitive to dust.

Oh dear 🤪 @BambiOnIce80 but all signs of a good night I suppose! 😂 glad you had a fab day. Sorry about af, evil 🤬 as she is!

Well af isn’t here yet but every song tell tale sign is, so I’m thinking tomorrow or Wednesday going by my symptoms previous months. I know that I’m out 👎. But taking a leaf out of your book and thinking of the glass half full @Bambi ..... me and DP have booked a mini break over the Easter hols with our fur babies. So something to look forward to, and now I guess I get to enjoy it with a bevvy or 2!

Does the monitor work in the same kind of way @Kescilly ?

We had our bathroom done last year, the dust was on another level, so maybe best for you to stay away 🙈. I’m sure all will get done and look fab in time for the little one to arrive!
Wow time does fly, not long left for you now. Very exciting x

@Kescilly yes we're sorted for the wedding thanks, I still need shoes though!

@Weathergirl1 I'm the same with the antenatal threads, everyone's either much younger or having their second or third, maybe one of us should start a spin off thread complete with geekiness!

How's everything going now @VenusStarr? Hope you're feeling ok

Tentatively slipping in... Hi all, I am 39 and trying for a baby with my new partner, we both already have children but it's 12 years since I was last pregnant! We were going to wait a few months but have decided to get on with it. I have been on Cerazette (mini pill) for a year and came off it four weeks ago, AF hasn't arrived yet but I feel like it might happen this week which would be nice because I'd like to know where my body is at but in the meantime, we're giving it a go anyway. Look forward to getting to know you and good luck to all!

Thanks @Pinkywoo. I'm not great today. It's a real roller-coaster of emotions. I'd felt positive and upbeat all yesterday and then just before bed I had some brown spotting and got really upset and that's continued to today 😢 I'd almost come to terms with losing the pregnancy before the last scan and then to have this glimmer of hope feels very cruel.

How are you @Pinkywoo? I got Rachel Simpson shoes for my wedding, they were lovely and surprisingly comfy as I never wear heels anymore but wore them until about 10pm.

31 weeks @Kescilly, it's flying by :) our renovation is finally finished but it was very messy and dusty so if you can stay somewhere else for a few days I'd recommended it. We had to shut our cats upstairs while it was being done but they weren't too unhappy as they have been sleeping on our bed which they aren't usually allowed to do. I'd happily let them all the time but dh doesn't like them sticking their paws under the duvet to get his feet 😂

Sadly, I do believe AF is on her way soon. I had a temperature drop this morning that all but confirms it. I was pretty sure of it yesterday, as the spotting just seemed to be too much like AF to be a good sign. But, then the temperature reading sort of seems like the nail in the coffin, so to speak.

It's like @BambionIce80 said...when I had the cold feet, I found myself hoping for AF, because life seemed so good as it is, I wasn't sure I wanted it to change. But, then when AF comes, I wanted it to be IB so bad and it's a bit sad that this month was another failure.

Due to timing this month, I am pretty sure I am out for April; I'm sad about that, but I am looking forward to my annual checkup in May. I will probably go through all the motions of temping and OPK-ing, even though it's an off month, just so I have some data for my OBGYN when I go in April. It's a lot of work, especially with no payoff, but I want to have dates and details for my appointment in May, so that she has that information.

Agree with everyone else @Kescilly - plaster dust gets everywhere with bathroom work 🤧 Exciting to have a new bathroom though! 🤩 On the iodine front (if I may 🤓!) I think the decision was taken by the DoH not enrich staples like milk with it so as to not cause problems for the poor buggers with an over-active thyroid (lots of iodine + over-active thyroid = very, very bad). Pregnacare conception vits has the RDA for an adult in it though 👍

Glad you're not leaving us @Weathergirl1 and @Pinkywoo 💐 😘

Oooh, getting exciting at your end @beverlymarsh! 🤩 I know what you mean though - I'm still far from sure and yo-yoing all over the place about IVF 🙄

Oooh (again! 😄) @Carley32 re: minibreak 😎 If you do get AF now-ish, FW might tie-in with your minibreak 😁 Definitely a glass half full situation 🍸🍷👍

Welcome @tisonlymeagain 👋 Fingers-crossed your body kicks back into a normal rhythm post-BC soon 🤞🏻

Can you nip along to the EPU @VenusStarr and get them to check you out? Sending hugs.x

Sorry to hear your temp has dropped @WrexhamBuxom 😔 It really is a roller-coaster, isn't it? I kept up the temping and the OPK's on a month when I had no chance, using the logic that it's better to have it than not... turned out to be a good thing too because my new acupuncturist was all over my data yesterday!

So, yes - first appointment with the new acupuncturist last night. Night and day different compared to the guy I didn't get on with! She was crazy, crazy thorough and is sending me a typed report shortly of the recommendations for extra tests she think I'd benefit from to try and get to the bottom of my unexplained infertility (no guarantees, of course 😏). I'm a bit stunned, to be honest, as wasn't expecting a load of new routes to try or that level of consultation 😦 She even had the inside line on the waiting times at my IVF clinic (was a year, but is immediate since excluding women if their BMI's aren't optimal 😦). Think I'm going to wait for the report before filling you all in on the other tests, etc - I'll need a bit of time to digest this unexpected flurry of information! 🤓 Hope you have a good experience at your appointment @Laney79 - thinking of you🤞🏻🍀

Thank you @BambiOnIce80, I don't think epu will see me yet as I was only there on Friday. It might still be too early of I'm measuring 5 weeks so still might not see a heartbeat (if there will even be one). Also part of me wants to cling onto hope 😢 sorry to bring the thread down, am really struggling with this today.

Hope you are OK x

@Laney79 I'm so sorry that sounds really distressing and completely unfair, I hope you're able to find someone who can help you. Its such a hard situation. You said good news helps and so here's mine...

Today I got my first ever BFP, according to the dates I'm 5 weeks pregnant. I'm hoping the pregnancy sticks since I've got hypothyroidism which makes conception a little bit trickier but so far so good. We tried pre-seed in my last cycle and I don't know whether that made any difference or not but its hands down the best lube I've ever tried and it's definitely worth a go if you haven't tried it yet.

congrats!!!

I also tested today 8 DPO this morning and saw extremely faint line! I'm not sure if I'm 8 or 10 DPO, it's either or.

TTC #1. I can't post pics as I've posted 6 already today, they are in 2 days DPO and 4 days DPO thread - please have a look and let me know what you think?!

Pregnancy test was not a branded one (but is an early one, says can test 3 days before period). I don't know when my period should start though because I've come off the pill not long ago after 7years and still regulating!

Congratulations @Ferii and a potential early congratulations @SunStruck!

Thought I'd share my news too...I got a BFP yesterday. I tested after the period was overdue. I am 2-3 weeks on the CB (I believe that's 4-5 weeks in medical terms).

This was Cycle #6 and I'm 38.
I had a HyCoSy last cycle so not sure if that contributed.

A couple of months ago, I discovered I had a high FSH (16.5 at first test and 19.5 at second test) and low AMH of 6.9 pmol/L , so was skeptical about conceiving. In case that helps anyone who's in a similar boat.

Congrats @Sunstruck and @birdbybird that's great news!
@birdbybird I had a really faint line on the cheapy internet test I bought but the branded digital one was a definite yes. :)

@birdbybird congrats!!! So happy for you 😄 can you elaborate about what 'medical terms' is vs clearblue test?

I also picked up the CB digital test today to test with next week if my cheaper ones show pregnant this weekend.

I know it's mental but I must have conceived yesterday or the day before, because my temp was highest it's ever been 2 days ago and yesterday morning dropped by 0.4C to nearly under coverline. High again today.

Quite worried to be testing this early as I read so many people have chemicals though 😳

Thanks @Ferii and @SunStruck

@SunStruck by 'medical terms' I was talking about the brochure that comes with CB pregnancy tests with a weeks indicator. The test tells you how many weeks you're pregnant but then to add 2 weeks to this. So basically I think if CB weeks indicator test tells you you're 2-3 weeks (i.e date from conception), your doctor will date this 4-5 weeks (i.e. from your last menstrual period).

@birdbybird thanks so much for explaining, it's all really confusing 🤯😄

Flipping heck that's a lot of BFPs in the space of 24hours @SunStruck @Ferii @birdbybird ! 🤞 For sticky beans.

Do any of you have the One Step opks you could use for the little science experiment @BambiOnIce80 has instigated?

I've been feeling lousy the past couple of days - not sick but indigestion and off my food and coffee 😭. Had GP appt yesterday which was positive. She was not in the least bit concerned about my age and didn't seem overly worried about the bit of brown spotting I mentioned. I was feeling rather stressed though.

@pinkywoo definitely wondering about a 1st pregnancy geeks united thread. The December lot have now set up a Facebook group... I'm definitely not going to be joining that!! 🤣

Thinking of you @VenusStarr 💐

Congrats to all you ladies with positive news! Wooooo hooo. It really does give us all hope that it CAN happen.

So, for me, that bitty AF did show up yesterday. Early. So, late O Day and early AF. Doesn't seem like a good situation there. Hopefully, it is a one time fluke, but it is worrisome. I'm sad, but at least I am prepared to have that discussion in May.

Congratulations all those with BFP's today! Hope to be joining you very soon.

@Weathergirl1 That thread sounds like a great idea. I haven't joined the December group yet... where are you at? I think I'm 4w2d. Not many symptoms yet except for higher temperatures.
Are you maintaining the same training /exercise routine? The week before I got my BFP I did about 10 hours of tennis and exercise. Have only been playing for a couple of years but it keeps me happy. Am not looking forward to giving it up! Plus tokophobia, and thoughts of whether I rushed into this because of the age thing (I'm 38), am feeling very mixed. Have not told anyone yet except my partner, who is cautiously happy. Am a bit disgruntled though as he hardly has to do much!

@birdbybird yep temperatures are still up but there is a bit of day by day variation. Natural Cycles thinks I'm 6 weeks today (I think I'm a day ahead of that!). GP entered me on the system as LMP date though yesterday 😞...

Not done enough exercise since Friday (when I did a 2 hour cycle ride) as I've been feeling awful over the weekend. I did drag my sorry ass onto the turbo trainer yesterday for half an hour and did feel better for it though so am planning to try again this afternoon. I've got a strength and stability circuit I've been following for months (to sort out imbalances I have) and I've been struggling to do that - the motivation just hasn't been there - DH promised me he'd help me do it this evening though. I'm not planning to stop training (if I feel up to it) - I have a couple of books written by pregnant athletes that I'm drawing inspiration from 😀

I know what you mean about the mixed feelings. At the moment I am not thinking about the tokophobia as it's early and I might not get that far iyswim (and as yet other than feeling crap and sore breasts my body isn't any different). Next milestone to hit is midwife next Tuesday and then I need to think about NIPT testing. My GP was lovely yesterday though - seemed much more excited than me or DH (he's the same as me).

@birdbybird @Weathergirl1 yeah I also want to keep up with my training! It helps me de-stress (have a very stressful job), I go minimum 5 days a week and 2 of those with PT. How much is too much you reckon? Or is it safe to continue as long as I feel fine/not too tired?

Getting ahead of myself now, I'm so early I hope mine will stick!

Will miss wine 🍷

@Sunstruck the general advice is to use RPE (so how much effort you feel you're putting in) and carrying on as before. So I'm fairly comfortable with doing long steady aerobic work but I wouldn't be thinking about doing a flat out VO2 max session! The book I've got (which I may have mentioned before) is The Pregnant Athlete by Brandi Dion - she competed a Spartan race at 7 months!