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!! 🍀🐣🍀🐣

Congratulations Laney79, fingers crossed this is the one!

I'm good thanks @VenusStarr, I'm 15 weeks now but have a stinking cold (from the disgusting general public known as customers) and can't take anything. Did you have a good night out?

I'm glad you didn't need to stay in @Russkispy, hope you're doing ok.

Welcome to the thread AliceRR!

Thanks everyone. Such early days but trying to stay positive xxx

Wow @Laney79 congratulations. I am super chuffed for you 🤞🤞🤞 this is the time for you 💖.
Thanks for the info. But was able to book more bloods through reception as long as I have the letter off the private clinic. So all done ready for Cd21 and Cd23 (well Cd25 as it’s bloody bank holiday).

You’re right there @weathergirl1 we certainly miss @BambiOnIce when she’s not around. Hope you are having a fab Birthday anyway though @Bambi.

Sorry to hear about your carpet moths, that doesn’t sound pleasant at all. Yes best to stay away from any treatments lol.
And thank you I am super chuffed and in desperate hope that this is the beginning of some normality for me 🤞.

Well hello lovely ladies! 😍 I'm back from my jollies, so I'm afraid I'm going to be making up for my week of radio silence with an epic essay to catch up with all your news! 😬😄 And I don't think you've been that quiet - there's a good page and a half for me to catch up on, so apologies in advance if I miss anyone...

How about that for sods law @79andnotout?! Appointment rocks up just as you've made your plan of action! 🔮 Think it sounds like a solid plan to get the ovarian reserve data - the end of June will be here before you know it 👍

… And talking of time streaking by, I can't believe D-day is imminent for you @Kescilly! 🤩 Keeping everything crossed for you for an easy labour 🤞🏻🍀 I'll be looking up that film on netflix too, so thanks for the heads up 😘

Totally get what you're saying about the fragmentation thing @beverlymarsh - it absolutely sounds plausible to me too. Putting the whole is it/isn't it a cause of infertility thing aside, I'm far from convinced from what I've read that ICSI would solve it because the technology to separate single swimmers into "good DNA" and "bad DNA" doesn't exist yet, which means the sperm they select for ICSI could well be a duff one… so I can't wrap my head around how they think that'll be more effective than IVF 🤔 It's a bloody minefield of evidence to interpret, is what it is! 🤯 Sounds like you asked your clinic an excellent question about embryo quality - I hope they come back to you with a proper answer.x

Urgh, you have my sympathies on the HSG organisational woes @PixieN! 💐😩 That was the part that did my nut in when I was going through it - totally reliant on the radiology departments availability/staffing/equipment issues 😕 I hope you manage to get it booked soon 🤞🏻🍀

That's bloody frustrating on the weight loss front @CNizzle - sounds like you're doing everything right, dammit! Definitely sounds wise to go to the doc to get checked out - underactive thyroid and Cushings syndrome are the usual suspects if there's an underlying cause (although I hope there isn't and everything is fine, obvs!).

Hello and welcome @Lammoshay, @MindyStClair and @AliceRR 👋 Looking forward to getting to know you all 🙂

Congratulations on AF @QuantumGirl!! 🎉 🎉🎉 How's the clinic hunting going?x

And the same to you @Carley32! 😂 29 days is very normal sounding indeed - here's to a bloody good go at TTC this month 🥂😊

How did you get on at the docs @VenusStarr? I hope you're feeling OK now.x

Sorry to hear you're feeling down @Catconfusion 😔 I hope you got on OK at the GP's too.x

15 weeks already @Pinkywoo?! 🤩 Not long to go to your wedding, is it? I'll be praying to the Scottish weather gods for good weather for you 🌞😉

I had no idea that there are such things in the world as carpet moths @Weathergirl1, but they sound like a total pain in the arse 🦋😕 I hope DP gets it sorted out and you're treated to some good endorphins soon 😊

OMFG @Laney79!! 😍😍😍 Fantastic news to catch up on!! 🤩🤩🤩 Wishing you all the luck in the world for third time lucky 💖

@Russkispy, I'm so, so sorry to read about this terrible time that you're going through 😔 Hold that little one tight and don't give up hope ❤️ You're a strong lady and I know you'll formulate a strong plan.x

🤞 @BambiOnIce80 🥂 I hope we are in with a chance! Have been taking Vitamin c & Zinc vitamins so wondered if that had anything to do with it. Although i’m Not getting my hopes up I haven’t had to cycles the same for a year.

Hope you had a fab Birthday?

I had a really lovely birthday week, thanks for asking @Carley32 💖😊 Felt it did me the world of good to push TTC to the back of my mind for a bit (helped by a hell of a lot of distraction from the national trust! I seriously think I could hold my own in a round of mastermind on 'the English civil war' or 'the tudor/jacobean periods' 😄). Hasn't lasted long now I'm back, mind 😏 Came home to a written reply to my 'concern' about how my eligibility for NHS IVF funding has been interpreted - no joy, as expected... but it still dropped me straight into a very black mode for about 24 hours 🙄 I've given myself a good mental slap today and forced myself out for a run to get some endorphins going 💪 Gave me plenty of time to think and came to the conclusion that even if they had turned round and offered us funding, it'd still take a year to get there because of the epic waiting list in my area - I can't cope with that, so really we'd be going self-funded regardless. So. I think I've sorted my head out now 🤞🏻👍 What CD are you on now lovely? It's CD10 here, so nosing into FW.

Oh. And how's this for an almighty baby bomb that I got today 👶💣 It surpasses the baby-bump-resting-on-head facial, I think 🤔 Found out someone I know is upduffed, which is nothing unusual... except their age. They're having their first sproglet at 51. Yep. That's not a typo. Fifty. One. Think this example nicely illustrates your point about going back on bc when a line has been drawn under TTC @79andnotout, no?!

Oh glad you had a fab time away and have arrived back home a history mastermind 🤣👍. Sorry about the shitty and unfair reply you had. But we’ll done to you for thinking 🤬 it! And continuing with your plan. Having some control on where your heading next must feel refreshing.
I am CD4... hoping and praying this ‘normal’ cycle length continues 🤞. I am thinking on buying the CB opks again this month, although not sure if the stress of a million flashing bloody smileys would delay anything normal happening any-away 🙈.

I am beginning to wonder if my anxiety has an impact on it all. As the one time I was away completely refreshed and not at all stressed or anxious, I had a 29 day cycle.

@BambiOnIce forgot the tag 🤣

@BambiOnIce80 sounds like a lovely break, glad you managed to chill and celebrate. I think national trust is definitely something you end up coming to as you get a bit older! I never used to be fussed but love a trip to NT these days!

So frustrating about the reply re funding-who did it come from? I do think they'll do all they can to wriggle out of paying for anything if possible due to budgets. Even if they can't do the treatment it may be worth going back and asking what investigations you are eligible for? I know where I am persistence can pay off in some circumstances.

In case anyone is interested there's some videos on this link: www.rcog.org.uk/en/patients/fertility/presentations/
Of the presentations that were given at the fertility forum a month or so ago. There's one from Lesley Reagan the miscarriage specialist at st Mary's all about recurrent MC which is obv interesting to me, but also stuff about fertility counselling, donor eggs, ivf abroad etc...think they are adding more each week. Might be helpful. X

Hi,

You seem like a friendly, supportive bunch so hoping to join in. I'm just about to turn 36 and ttc #1. This month will be our first cycle:-)

You could be onto something there @Carley32 🤔 Did they check your prolactin when you got your blood results from the GP? That's the one that can mess with our FSH, LH and oestrogen levels (and therefore our cycles). Don't know if you remember that that was the only one of my hormone levels that was abnormal (it was high and probably due to work related stress 🙄), but it wasn't having any effect on the rest of my hormone levels so it was nothing to worry about. When I had that freak-ishly short cycle in January, I think that was due to my prolactin level going rogue from the additional bereavement stress at the time. If your hormone results were fine, then it's unlikely that your anxiety is effecting your prolactin levels enough to matter 👍

Thanks for that link @Laney79 🙂 I'm going to download it so that it can be commute fodder 🚂📺 The reply I received was from the ACU head of service and it was just regurgitating the Scottish guidelines and emphasising that I had to wait until next April because I was in a new relationship, so my previous diagnosis doesn't stand 😒 I still very much believe I'm in a grey area (because nowhere in the guidance does it say that your unexplained infertility diagnosis has to be within the same relationship), but arguing the toss would still mean I wouldn't get seen until this time next year when I'll be 40... and I just can't face carrying on like this for another year 😔 I've got my scheduled appointment with the NHS clinic tomorrow for my US result, so I'll see if I can find out about the self-funded route whilst we're there and start making some decisions/appointments 🤞🏻 Anyway, enough about my crap - how are you doing?x

Welcome @Pastnowfuture 👋 I'm hoping it'll be first time lucky for you! 🤞🏻🍀😄 What CD are you on at the moment?

@bambi I don't know yet as just come off the pill so things a little haywire.

That can definitely send things more than a bit haywire @Pastnowfuture, as a few of my friends on here can testify! 😏 Keeping everything crossed that your body will be kind to you post bc and not mess you about too much 🤞🏻

Great news @Laney79 💕 I know you’ve been through a lot to get here so really hope it’s 3rd time lucky for you. Did you find out any more about baby aspirin and whether it would be a good idea to take it?

I’m o.k thanks @VenusStarr - It looks like there’s a possibility of reducing my hours for next year so i’m really excited. I think you’re right @Carley32 stress can affect things and I’m not very good at dealing with it sometimes!

It’s great to hear from you @BambiOnIce and glad you had a lovely birthday. Sorry to hear about the issues with funding for Ivf - it’s really unfair, but sounds like you’ve got a plan of action.

Has anyone heard of DHEA or taking it? A friend of mine has been recommended it - it’s supposed to be good for egg health in older women x

Welcome to all the newbies and hope you get your Bfps soon

That’s interesting to know @BambiOnIce80 but I have no idea because the doctors wouldn’t give me my results, they just said all was normal. I am having more done this month and will be asking for a copy and I will be quite pushy with it too.
The next time I speak to the private clinic I will ask if they were able to get a copy.
Good luck with the appointment tomorrow, I hope you get some positive news from it.
As for your friend becoming preggo at 51 that is crazy. Was she happy about it?

The day I had my ultrasound for the pains in my side was probably the most I’ve been baby bombed since ttc..... sitting in a waiting room full of bumps smiles and scan pics. Of course I was happy for them, but also a little envious.

Good luck @pastnowfuture 🤞 For normality to regain ASAP.

I’m not to good with stress either @PixiN.
I’m trying my hardest to find some sort of calm in my crazy brain!

@Carley32 the docs have to give you a copy of your results if you ask for it! Pretty sure they have to anyway - it’s your data! My docs were a bit funny about it too but I insisted.

@BambiOnIce80 - 51!! That’s mad!! That happened to someone at my work, I think she’s about the same age, turned out to be twins 😳

Congrats @Laney79

So sorry to hear your news @Russkispy hope you are doing as OK as can be 💐

@BambiOnIce80 51! There is hope for us all! 😬

Speaking of baby bombs - there’s a big one for all of us today...

Glad you had a good birthday @BambiOnIce80, bit rubbish you came back to bad news though. Yes we're getting married in three weeks 😱 so good Scottish weather would be great thanks! Actually as it's just us coming up we need two witnesses, if any of you lovely north of the border ladies are free on the 30th?! If not I'll ask on aibu so don't feel pressured! 💖

OMG @Pinkywoo, I'd be well up for that!! 😍 Did you say it was Leith registry office? If it is, it's only about a 20 minute walk from me! And I don't mind blowing my cover in the name of love 😄 I'd have to see if I could swing the day off from work though... do you need an answer today or can you wait until tomorrow to give me time to check if it's doable?x

How exciting @Pinkywoo and @BambiOnIce80!! ❤️❤️

Sorry I've been quiet, struggling quite a bit, feel desperate to be pregnant again and finding it tough. Just waiting for dh to meet me at the hospital, it's our fertility clinic appointment today. Hoping we don't get punished and discharged for getting pregnant then miscarrying. I hope they will still see us / help us.

I seem to be gearing up to ovulate, only cd 7 but had cramps and twinges the last couple of days and ewcm this morning. Its still a couple of days away I think. The only thing that's different is the miscarriage and I've started the ubiquinol but don't think they work that fast!

Will let you know what the clinic say. Sorry haven't caught up properly xx

@beverlymarsh I think I need to grow a pair as my insisting usually consists of saying please twice 🙈. I’m no good at all with being pushy. But will try my best ready for when I see them next.

Sounds exciting @Pinkywoo & @BambiOnIce80 🥂 ❤️

Sorry your having a rough time @VenusStarr. How did the appointment go?

That would be brilliant @BambiOnIce80! It's at 1.30, and yes tomorrow's fine!

Hope your appointment went well @VenusStarr

Phew! 😪 Busy, busy day, so sorry to have read and run earlier ladies - catching up properly now...

@Carley32 @beverlymarsh @AliceRR, yeah the "51 & pregnant" was a bit of a shocker all round, I think 😦 Didn't have time to talk to her properly, but she looked about 5% delighted & 95% terrified (think I'd look like that even now, to be fair 😬). Keeping everything crossed for them, of course 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

@PixieN, I've heard of it and read that it's a nightmare to get hold of in the UK (have to ship it in from the US, I think 🤔). From the reading I did, the side effects/risk factors were a bit too scary for me so I personally wouldn't take it unless a doc was involved and monitoring me. Here's a little link that might be helpful to weigh it up:

haveababy.com/fertility-information/ivf-authority/dhea-and-ivf-harmful-in-certain-cases

@Carley32, you can be perfectly polite about requesting your results because they're your results which they have to give you under the freedom of information act. You can smile sweetly whilst you're saying it too 😊😉

Sorry that you're struggling @VenusStarr 💐 How did your appointment go?x

I'll get back to you tomorrow @Pinkywoo as soon as I have worked out if I can swing it 💒 🙂

So. Fairly happy with how my appointment went, I think 👍 Went straight there with the doc about me questioning with her bosses about the eligibility criteria and that I hoped she didn't see it as a slight against her - she said she didn't and she sees perfectly where I'm coming from. She reckons the criteria don't really cater for people in my situation (awesome 😏), and she's sorry about that but her hands are tied by the criteria. She said the best she could do would be to argue my case for an early referral as a 'special case' because of my previous diagnosis, the blatant fact that it doesn't look to have changed and the fact that I'm 39 and not getting any younger... but even then the earliest she'd be able to refer me would be in 4 months time 🙄 Then add on another 10 months to a year to actually work our way up the waiting list and I'll be nearer to 41 than 40 and our odds will have crashed 😒 She emphasised that our chances of success really are better now and she completely understands our frustration - so I flat out asked her would she recommend going self-funded? It pained her to say it, but she felt in our circumstances it would. She'd fast track our referral to our IVF clinic and we should be seen in ~3 weeks with IVF starting in 2 to 3 months after that, but possibly sooner - finally feel like we're turning a (very scary! 😳) corner 😪 First thing's first though - need to get my AMH and antral follicular scan done to assess egg reserve and take it from there 🥚👍

Blimey lots to catch up on here! Hope your appointment went okay @VenusStarr 💐

51?! Oh my goodness! I take it your friend is pleased @BambiOnIce80 ? And here was I feeling that 40 was really the cut off for me 😳

Very excited about the prospect of wedding witnesses being sourced on this board. How cool is that?! 💐

News from me (without going into too much detail as I've already done that on the graduates thread!). Had a scan this evening and I'm 11+1 which near enough matches NC date. Had blood test for Harmony with multiple needles as my body didn't want to give up any precious red blood cells 😬 which was not the best experience for a needle-phobe 😱... Feeling a lot more real now and OMG what have we done 😲.

@carley32 I always find it easier to be assertive about things like this if you can write down what you're going to say on advance. And if you can guess some of the responses you might get then have replies to those prepared too. Makes it a lot easier than if you are just having to think of what to say on the spot. Good luck 🍀