Over 40 TTC - lots of baby dust for us...4!

[SparrowSG]

Here's our new thread (sorry, not good at coming up with exciting titles!!)

SparrowSG: 44. 1 DS 2.5. TTC for ever! 1 ectopic 10 wks Feb 2014, 1 successful IVF 2016, 1 failed IVF 2018, 1 MC 12 wks Feb 2019. Planned IVF Oct 2019.
KCM99: 43, 2 DC, ttc no.3 since April. 3 early losses since then.

Ava bracelet ordered as an early birthday present to myself 😊
Looking for your thoughts and/or experiences please ladies- I have been taking vitex since first (awful) period after MC. Periods have gone back to being even less painful than before and spotting disappeared BUT I have been experiencing breast tenderness/soreness and mild period like cramps from after OV to AF. Reminds me of what doctor called progesterone cramps during labour induction. So I'm wondering if the Vitex is causing increased progesterone in luteal phase or is what I'm experiencing something that just happens in your 40s as menopause looms?? Any thoughts appreciated xx

I wonder if it's the other way round - low progesterone. I had the same for quite a while, but not since being on progesterone pesseries...
Not necessarily problematically low, just lower than previous, so you are recognising symptoms

Great thanks @Cleozeta I'll look into that

Hi there everyone. I was wondering if I could join you lovely ladies?! - I'm almost 39, so not technically over 40, but not far off! Id really appreciate the support of ladies who are closer to my own age, as im aware of the fact that im fighting against the clock with this pregnancy (I have 2 sons already - 18 and 8 yrs old). xxxxx

Is anyone using any herbs or supplements to improve fertility?

Im taking a crazy list of supps, in the hope that they will support my fertility enough to get my last ever BFP.

Im using Vitex, Ubiquinol, Myo-Inositol, Pre-Conception Vit, Omega 3, Magnesium, Vit D3, Zinc, Chromium, Vit C, B-50 Complex and Ashwaghanda all cycle.
I also take EPO, Red Clover and Raspberry Leaf Tea up until Ov.
I drink Grapefruit Juice around Ov.
And I take Bromelain and drink lots of Nettle Tea after Ov.

Crazy really, but I want to do everything I possibly can to encourage a BFP!

Im currently on CD20. I got my Peak OPK CD18, and think I Ovd yesterday. So now im in the 2WW. Testing 10th/11th Sept.

Id really love some buddies for this arduous journey! lol xxx

Welcome coconut! Thats a great list of suppliments. Mine is similar. I also do Chinese accupuncture & herbs.
At 39 I think you still have a very good chance of success. Good luck!

Hi all,

Hoping to join you on this thread as I battle my infertility.

I'm 42 with a 7 year old DD, TTC for 7 years (on and off actively), OH 51. We tried the, lets not worry and stress about it, if it happens it happens, approach for many of these years, but many times also doing the ovulation tests and BD every other day starting a week before OV.

Three years ago we went to the doctors to start the tests, but time and life got in the way and we didn't continue assessing.

I just went to the GP yesterday to start the process again and had the first blood test (day 2-5 of cycle). Will have the second blood test in 3 weeks and have been referred for an ultrasound.

This makes it feel so real, and I worry what they will find.

Just looking for a sympathetic ear I guess.

Hi all, have been absent for a bit and then my DS got sick with hand, foot and mouth (how horrible is that virus!!)

Welcome to all the newbies

Huge congrats to Karigan195, sorry to hear it was a traumatic time but hopefully that memory will fade soon. The pic of your little baby boy is so cute, wishing you lots of happiness.

So sorry to hear of your MC Russkispy, but good to hear you staying positive and looking ahead to your DE cycle. Will keep everything crossed for you.

And also keeping everything crossed for you Letsdothis42 on your next cycle, it is hard to stay positive when time keeps going by.

Congratulations to hmmm123 and Realitysucks on the BFP's, Reality amazing that you got that just before you were about to go again for your last round!

How are you doing in this heat Hobbes39?

lorns01, yes I am sure it is only 6 months when you are 40+, also as you are usually waiting for a while for the appointments once you've been to the Drs (we waited 3 months!) then I would advise to go earlier anyway, it's not like they know how long you have been ttc'ing for!

Hope everyone is doing ok? Sorry if I missed any news.

AFM I will be starting my preparation for my next IVF cycle. Dr is putting me back on the same protocol as I had the first time as the last one was not successful. So that means going on the pill next week for 21 days and then starting treatment with full on high stimms and loads of other drugs, can't wait!! Will be going back to Athens for it so have decided to make it a late summer holiday and have two weeks there. Hopefully it will make it less stressful and at least if it is not successful we would have had a nice time in the sun.

@Cleozeta Thanks so much, lovely lady.

Which Chinese Herbs do you take? xxx

Hi @coconuttymummy just wondering if you've had any side effects from the Vitex? Hope your BFP is just around the corner 🤞
Hope you get lots of lovely healthy eggs with this protocol @SparrowSG
My inositol has just arrived. How much per day do you ladies take?

As I don't really know what is causing my problems conceiving, what vitamins supplements do you all suggest until I know more?

I'm taking the pregnacase conception at the moment.

Hi all

I'm back to give a sad update that I think I'm miscarrying at 6 weeks. Started bleeding this morning .. I'm on holiday in the middle of nowhere too so can't do anything until I get back home

It's truly shit but I thought it was too good to be true

Good luck to everyone trying

I'm really sorry @hmmm123 it's hard isn't it, the excitement and hopefulness of that positive test snd then the disappointment afterwards. Sending my thoughts to you and you never know when you feel better you may try again and get your rainbow. x

Sorry @hmmm123 I realise disappointment doesn't quite describe the heartbreak. But it was well intentioned x

I'm so sorry to hear that @hmmm123

Sending and and

I'm so sorry I to read this @hmmm123, take care of yourself xxx

@hmmm123 So so sorry to read your update, it's really unfair xx

So sorry to hear what's happening to you @hmmm123 hope you're being looked after

Hi @Inks42 I saw a fertility doctor at age 39 before conceiving my DD and most of my tests seemed fine. She recommended CoEnzymeQ10, vit D, B complex, high dose folate and Omega 3 as well as DHEA for egg quality due to my age.
I started Vitex independently as I thought my luteal phase might have been a bit short and my prolactin levels were a little high.
Other ladies here have suggested Inositol and I've just started that today.
My DH and I also take preconception multivitamins and Macca powder.
I also try to drink a range of herbal teas!
Sometimes it feels a bit crazy and I'm sure even more could be added to the above by some of the other ladies here. Hope some of that is helpful xx

@hmmm123  I'm so sorry to hear your news, it's just so heartbreaking - thinking of you x
@SparrowSG - hi - good to hear from you... hope your DS is fully recovered?
Good luck for your cycle, I hope this is the one for you x
@Inks42 - welcome, this is a lovely board here, everyone is v supportive! In answer to your question about things to take when you don't know what the issue is - my personal opinion from having tried many things is that sadly a lot of this is down to luck so some supplements probably make very little difference to some people, and some can upset your hormonal balance if you don't know what is the problem - so i would default to just a couple : a decent multivitamin, good quality ubiquinol and also a good quality folate supplement.
Good luck to all the other new people on here too.

AFM - 35.5w and getting impatient now to finally meet my babies. Have another scan on Monday, then if they aren't out before then, they will be coming out the following Monday 🤞. Feeling v nervous, but delighted to have got this far!

@Hobbes39 - so exciting! You're doing so well to keep them in there so long - I wish I had managed to keep mine in until 36/37 weeks and avoided all the scary special care stuff ☹️ good luck to you XXX

Welcome to the thread to all the new ladies!

Coconut - I go to a TCM specialist who does accupuncture and then prescribes Chinese herbs based on my issues & time in cycle. I've found it works, I've had 2 pregnancies since doing it (sadly did not work out) but this was after a year of irregular and unusual periods, zero bfp's and a high FSH diagnosis, and predicted early menopause. TCM has lowered my FSH and stabalised my cycles.

hmmm - so sorry to hear your news, the heartbreak from this is something I think only those who have been through it can truly undestand. Big hugs to you and fingers crossed for a golden egg next time

Hello ladies. I am 41 and after many failed goes at IVF, we are trying naturally. I just got the Ava bracelet in the hope it will help!

Here's a code for £20 off in case anyone would like it....I didn't realise when I got mine!

avawomen.ref-r.com/c/i/12607/36404980

PS I just changed my username - joined this the only time I have ever been pregnant - sadly I had a MMC at 9 weeks :(((

@hmmm123 so sorry to read your sad news! Absolutely devastating and I know it too well, still going through it myself. Hope you've been looked after 
@SparrowSG good luck for your IVF cycle! Will be rooting for you!
@KCM99 how are you getting on?

AFM, was at EPU yesterday to do repeat HCG bloods. It's gone down to 47. But 3 weeks since MC I'm still having a little bleed, mainly on a wipe. And the consultant recommends a hysteroscopy. But wants me repeat HCG bloods again, ffs, sick of that place! And then decide on next steps. In the meantime our donor will start IVF stims tomorrow, waiting for confirmation, with potential egg collection in a couple of weeks or less. And I'm waiting to hear from my doc if she recommends a hysteroscopy and if so, I'll get it done at their clinic. It's all waiting game now.
@eloisa246 how are you getting on with DE process?
And how's everyone else doing?