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!! 🍀🐣🍀🐣

Oh @QuantumGirl that is thoroughly shit. And bloody unfair. I think some counselling sounds like a good idea. It seems really sudden that these bad cycles have come on. A year or so ago you were having fairly regular cycles, weren't you? Maybe there's a better clinic out there for you that could extract some eggs in a more gentle fashion. Might be worth getting another couple of expert opinions. Hope you're being looked after at home.

Thanks ladies. Still very very anxious but I guess with my history that's not unreasonable. I've had my booking appointment which went well and my dating scan is this week. Now starting to panic about screening. I'm hyper aware this little one is probably our only shot at a family so starting to feel really worried that there'll be something terrible (Edwards/patau's) wrong.

But by the same token I can't help but feel excited too. Really want to tell people now, although no outward physical signs I'm pregnant. Even started looking up stuff like pillows, sterilisers, bottles etc. Mustn't get carried away though...still some big hurdles to clear yet.

I know I'll be exactly the same if I ever get to the screening stage @Laney79. Think you've got to look at it as everything is fine until someone tells you otherwise - keeping everything crossed for you that all is well🤞🏻🍀

How come you're out @Carley32? Too poorly to DTD? Fingers-crossed you managed to get one in the bank beforehand 🤞🏻🍀x

@79andnotout I'm hoping that the people that did your follicle count were competent to do so and they've gotten it right! 😄 Did you have your AMH done again? Maybe it's gone up a bit? Either way, sounds very promising for autumnal IVF (and I'm very grateful for a buddy! 😍).

Hope your clinic appointment went OK @PixieN?

Please don't ever apologise for telling it as it is @QuantumGirl ❤️ What a head fuck of an experience for the first cycle 😔 I absolutely agree with @79andnotout about getting a second opinion. Sounds like from your description of how the clinic handled it that they aren't instilling your confidence in them and I don't blame you - what's happened with the early ovulation can't be unusual and they should surely have a standard procedure for what to do when they come across it within a cycle. Very worrying that they handled it in a chaotic manner. I hope they don't bloody well charge you for this cycle either! I hope you get some clarity from your reading and please keep us updated when you can.x

So. It's CD4 here, unsurprisingly, and all is well 🙂 It's also been a month since the clinic said I could ring for a monthly update about whether there's any cancellations for a sooner appointment, but I don't think I'm going to ring... We've got our hands full with the kitten (in a nice way! 😺) and it really has taken the focus off of TTC (which is very welcome). What do you think ladies? At the moment I'm pretty chilled about IVF not happening until the end of the year (kitten effect), but will I regret not trying to get it sooner once the kitten has calmed down and everything is back to normal? 🤔

Thanks for asking after me @BambiOnIce80 Slightly annoying - just typed out a whole reply and it disappeared! 😏
Anyway, still trying to process what we were told at the appointment - good news and bad. Results were fine for me and the consultant didn’t seem too concerned about failed HSG. She said I could have a laparoscopy if I wanted it, but could avoid it and go for the next step which is a scan. DH’s SA levels weren’t good - below average for all three: count, motility and morphology 😔 We need to wait for a letter from the clinic, book my scan and have a blood test to check AMH levels. Feeling anxious about this already. They tried to take my blood at the appointment but couldn’t find a vein, despite trying both arms! Anyway, looks like we’re also headed for IVF with ICSI and it could be soon - the consultant thinks it could be as early as August! Slightly freaking out about this as DH and I thought we’d need to wait another year! x

I’m so sorry about your head 🤬 of cycle @QuantumGirl it really does sound bloody awful to go through. Like others have said, A second opinion can never hurt. I hope you get some viable answers soon!

@Laney79 I think I’d be exactly the same. Everything is such a bloody worry and I think we know to much these days, which causes more stress. But like @BambiOnIce80 said it won’t chamge anything worrying so until that time comes; enjoy every minute!

I’m loving the kitty love @BambiOnIce80 I bet it’s so refreshing to have something to take your mind off ttc, I could do with one myself lol. I think just go for it while you can, I’m sure the kitty will be a welcome stress reliever and distraction during the whole process 😍.
Yes I was to unwell. The dizziness was just bizarre I literally couldn’t lift my head without feeling awfully sick. We did manage Monday evening and the weird events came Wednesday evening. So pretty sure I’m out but there’s a small chance I guess 🤞. I hope that shit doesn’t continue to happen or we certainly won’t have a chance. I just want my next cycle to start now so I can be in a better mood and carry on the slog!

Thought i’d better send that before it disappeared again! Think you’ve got to go with what feels best for you @BambiOnIce80 Will you feel relaxed to go for IVF sooner rather than later or need more time to get your head around it and prepare? I feel very conflicted that mine could be so soon, but maybe it’s best not to wait 🤔 Many of us have been waiting long enough....and no guarantees it will work.

So sorry to hear what you’re going through @QuantumGirl I agree with the others that you might want to get a second opinion. This stuff is scary and even more so if you’ve got absolutely no faith in the people who are supposed to be helping you.

@Laney79 lovely scan pic and great news on your follicle count @79andnotout

Glad you’re feeling a bit better @Carley321 really weird - could it have just been a sickness bug?

I've just tried 3 times and lost my messages each time 🙄😔 anyway, just a brief note to say I'm back from holiday. Very much needed, feeling better in general. Af arrived 3 days early while I was away so I'm already in my fertile week.

@79andnotout good news!

@BambiOnIce80 😍 what a cutie, congrats on your fluffball!

@PixieN, sorry you're appointment was mixed but good news that the waiting list sounds short. Interesting that your doctor said you can bypass the laparoscopy, wonder what mine will say.

@QuantumGirl I'm sorry your cycle was cancelled. It sounds really difficult, I hope you have better news next cycle

@Laney79, not long until your next scan 😊

Hope everyone is OK, sorry I've not said more but I've been writing this message for nearly half an hour! X

Nice to hear from you @VenusStarr - you sound in a better place. Glad you had a great holiday.

Wow, @PixieN Rapid progress! You'll likely find you're ready by the time it comes round, time moves so slowly in TTC.

@BambiOnIce80 The BFN podcast is about fur babies today! I'm listening to it on the train.

@Laney79 Really hope this works out for you!

Fingers crossed for the outside chance @Carley321!

I was having cramping during the night so AF is likely on the way today. Or it's pregnancy cramps (ha fat chance).

Hello all. I had a follow up from my scan today. All looked OK she said, didn’t get into detail at all. But after an in depth chat about my symptoms etc; there was mention of endometriosis AGAIN. So she is referring me to gyno probably to have a laparoscopy is it? I’m just feeling really down about it. I haven’t read in depth about it yet but what I have read has frightened me. I’m so down I can’t imagine never having children, I know I’m being dramatic but I feel so so low.

I also have a copy of my bloods finally and going for more earlier on in my cycle. @BambiOnIce80 is there any chance you can look at them, they make no sense at all to me?

Well, that's a big news update @PixieN! How's your DP feeling about the results? This whole journey is a very odd thing to get our heads round, isn't it? Everything takes so long to be investigated and then boom! That's you heading for treatment! I'm sure it'll get exciting once the shock wears off 😉 I think you're right about me needing longer to mentally prepare for the IVF, to be honest. We've got a pretty busy few months leading up to our scheduled appointment (plus an unscheduled kitten to settle in! 😺), so after the initial disappointment that it was so far away, I've kind of gotten into my head that the end of the year is what we're working towards (plus it's longer to save up the necessary funds more comfortably! 💸).

So glad you had a lovely break @VenusStarr 😊 Good luck with FW 🍀🍀🍀

You never know @79andnotout (which is exactly the head fuck of it all, isn't it?!) 🤞🏻I'm going to give that pod cast ago, thank you! 😺

I wonder why they keep mentioning endometriosis when your scans are alright @Carley32? 🤔 Are your periods painful? Or could it be something to do with that side/back pain that you mentioned before? @CNizzle had a lap, so I'm sure she could help you out with what to expect (hope everything is OK with you @CNizzle and sorry for the tag if you're super busy?!). And of course I'll take a look at your blood results lovely 💉 🤓 DM won't take attachments, but if you've got the patience to type them out then I'll certainly see what I can see. The results should have a reference range with them (usually in brackets after your result), so please include these if you can - different labs use different analysers/methods, so would need to see the reference ranges appropriate to your results 🤓

If you don't mind publicly posting your results @Carley321 I'd like a look too. I can post up mine to compare. I did some recently.

Thank you ladies. I’ve attached bloods. CD21 and then CD23 progesterone.

It’s because of the pelvic pain @BambiOnIce80 and the irregular cycles. I just have a gut feeling that it is. I’ve known it’s not a normal symptom really. But obviously had nothing to compare it to.

I’m eager to know how long the wait is. I’m thinking about going private for it.

Also when I have had bloods I think it’s always ended up being when my left side is ovulating, not yet had them whilst I’ve had the discomfort in my right.

Any advice would be so much appreciated. Thank you.

Righty-ho @Carley32 my lovely - they're looking pretty good for your luteal phase 👍 The CD21 progesterone was a bit borderline to indicate ovulation, but the CD23 progesterone confirms ovulation. Am I right in thinking that these were taken back when your cycles were a bit longer? If so, it all fits with the picture and looks like you are ovulating 😎

If the NHS referrals where you are are anything like where I am, it could take at least a couple of weeks to hear when your lap will be 🙄 I guess it can't hurt to make some enquiries about the private process in the meantime and hedge your bets?x

Ah my bloods were all taken on day 3 so not really comparable. Yours look tip top though - mid range where is always the best place to be.

I definitely ovulate (as seen by ultrasound, and from all my own recordings - BBT, ovulation pain, OPKs etc) and my progesterone readings were 21 and 30, FYI, taken mid luteal phase.

Hi @ no these were recent. The end of May. Since I’ve had 3 cycles under 35 days. I have my older ones which were taken in February too. But I didn’t post the pic of those. So cd21 was borderline because they were taken to early? That’s why the cd23 were good? My cycle that month was 32 days. Sorry I am just clueless with all this and want to know what I’m in for.

I have the earlier ones booked for my next cycle @79andnotout so i’ll Post them too. So mine were a little higher than yours, is that right 28 and 42? Or am I being a dumbass. Is that a good thing that they are higher?

Yeah it just means it's very likely you are ovulating @Carley321 - they're supposed to be taken 7 days before AF for optimal measurement (that's when your progesterone is highest).

Welcome @wannabegeriatricmum 👋 I tend to go for a complete vit (which includes folic acid) and have settled on the ones below lately. They're slightly smaller than the pregnacare ones (and a helluvalot cheaper!), but contain pretty much the same component parts. I'd say they're not exactly small, but they're not quite in the 'horse tablet' category either! 💊 🐴

Amazon Brand - Solimo Conception & Pregnancy Care Multivitamins and Minerals with Beta Carotene Food Supplement, 240 Tablets www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07GTH8WXV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_NqYeDb44H1GE2?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Hi @wannabegeriatricmum - I take the boots own brand folic acid and vit d and they are really small. I don't bother with Pregnacare etc ones. I do take Ubiquinol though, although the jury is out on how useful it is. I've been trying for years with no success but my theory is my immune system is thwarting me as I have immunological thyroiditis (was diagnosed five years ago with Graves disease but now suspect it's actually Hashimotos). Will be starting IVF in the autumn so will know more about what's going on then. Hope it all goes more easily for you! I was 37 when I started but am now nearly 40.

Ooh was it a troll?

Rather odd, eh @79andnotout?! She didn't say anything controversial, I didn't think? 🤔

Ha yeah, I wonder if it was the name @BambiOnIce80? Quite exciting that we've been going long enough to get trolled!

Not a troll 😭 no.idea why my post has been deleted don't believe I broke any guidelines 😔

I've changed my name incase that was reason. Thanks for tip about boots folic acid that was one I looked at 👍