TTC for the Over 40s

[birthdaycake]

The first thread I've ever started.

Me age 41 and TTC since mmc in June. Anyone else out there.

Here's my stats

Mamalex ......46
Rachel1963 ....44
Netty66 .......41
Hebaceous .....42
Hedgepig ......41
Lionlady ......40
Patty67 .......41
Nonickname ....40
Aviatrix ......47
Jennykb .......??
Georgially ....41
Heron/Ohjoy....42, 2nd cycle, ttc #2
Rowingboat....41, Hmmm! [counts on fingers]
Lilibet
Gem2mum, 44, 2nd clomid cycle, ttc #3
Giggly
Mistlethrush
Worrymerchant
Juicylucytoo 40, cycle 2 TTC #2
Roquefortlover
Undervalued 41 cycle 7 TTC #4
Minmooch 41, ttc #3 5th cycle and bfp!
B ambilocket
cece.............41 2ns cycle, ttc #3
xserialshopper ...41 (May) 1st clomid cycle, ttc #2

Should be due about now. It's 28 days since last AF, but my last cycle was 33 days as the first after stopping BFing.

Not really expecting to be PG, but we'll see. Will keep you posted. x

Xserial shopper if your DH has a low sperm count he might want to look for another way to get to work.
Cycling is very bad news for sperm - if you Google 'cycling and sperm' you'll see what I mean.
You may already know but just thought I would point this out.

Thanks Nancy66. I googled 'cycling and sperm' and the results were actually better than I expected My hubby does about 1hr a day - 30mins each way, and according to what I've just read, this is not enough to really be detrimental to his sperm!!!! Plus he's FIT I'm keeping him on is supplements though.

AF has decided to visit me today so it looks like I'll be taking clomid from tomorrow. I already feel like an ogre with pmt so here's hoping I don't turn into the Loch Ness monster.

Hi. Am a new joiner here. For history been TTC for 2 years. MC at 7 weeks in October last year and I will be 42 in 5 months. (DP is 49). Any advice gratefully received re: my dilemma. Do DP and I keep TTC naturally or start down the IVF route? Getting different opinions from doctors.

xserial I'm laughing about your description of your DH - 'he's fit I'm keeping him on supplements' sounds like he could also win the next Grand National.
I hear you about the PMS, I was stomping around shouting 'fee fi fum' and stuff.
Hi Town and Country, welcome. I love the way you have actually started to say you are 42 because you will be in the future. It makes a change from staying 29 for five years.
I will be 92 in 51 years.
Do you have any children already?
Have you had any tests done to see if there are any obvious barriers to conception. I had tests done by my gp and was referred to the fertility clinic where I discovered that I have a blocked tube. We did put our name down for IVF, as it can take a while, but I don't know if I can really afford it. If it doesn't work that's a lot of money down the pan.
If you can afford IVF, I would say go for it, though.

Townandcountry I'd definitely have tests done to rule out any problems - get your hormone levels checked etc.
If everything looks ok then, personally, I wouldn't go down the IVF route as statistics show that a fertile woman in her 40s is more likely to get pregnant naturally than with IVF or with fertility drugs.

rowingboat - I really do think I'm about 32 however I've had that many batterings lately about my age and TTC that I am starting to feel very geriatric and not just nearly 42.
No children already. Starting the blood tests. Not yet had others although think will shortly. Also very stressed at work so thinking about resigning. Feels a bit drastic to lose out on maternity benefits etc however want to do best thing for TTC

Nancy66 - that's an interesting quote about statistics I didn't know. Any pointers to where I can find this info?

Oh dear Town that doesn't sound good. Do you have any holidays due/booked, so that you can get a bit of space to think about your options?
I'm sorry you are feeling a bit battered, but there are a lot of women who have posted on here with success stories, all of whom are over forty, so there is hope for you.
I was a bit down and confused when I went for the day three test and the day 21 test, but I did really feel they helped me to focus. Even if you find out that you have a blocked tube or something, it is good to know what is going on and what your options are. Knowledge is power!
Have you been referred to an fertility clinic?

Day 10 for us, just took some tixylix, help things along I hope.
Feel a bit yuck though, sinuses playing up, so not in the best frame of mind for bding. I am thinking we should aim for day 10, 12, 14 and 15. It's probably the most realistic, I would say everyday, but then I don't think we would manage that.
What's everyone else up to?
Xserial, did you start the clomid?

Hi rowingboat.

Yes, I started taking Clomid yesterday and I also started a new thread about it there you go........ I'm planning to let my dh enjoy my body on days 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and probably day 20. I've booked him in.

We wont do everyday because 1. it's unrealistic and 2. he has low sperm count.

I've ordered some pre-seed and I'm trying to drink to pints of water everyday I'm hoping the water will help with my cervical fluid[sp?] I even thinking of getting some 'green' tea! So, your on the cough medicine trick........... I'll see how it goes this month.

I've got a brand new, unopened Clearblue monitor and 5 boxes with 30 sticks each upstairs in my draw (my friend bought them from the USA for me) but I'm hoping I wont need it then I can sell everything on ebay along with my cheapy ov sticks and 10(or9?) cheapy preg tests.

That's enough of me - thanks for asking rowingboat.

How's everyone else?

Where've you gone HERON?

Oh - hello townandcountry nice to see ya >>>>

hi X and rowing, i am here, feeling much better today.

starting acupuncture on thursday and holding off on the clomid (for now) as i have regular cycle and good dy21 test result.

i am on dy5 at the moment, so no hanky panky as i still have a bit of AF (yuk).

i am not thinking about ttc every moment of the day. have lower expectations now so am more relaxed

good luck to you all further along the cycle.

love pre-seed and clearblue monitor!

what's the story about tixylix???

Hi heron ..... good to hear from you. I'm glad the acupuncture is about to happen.

I didn't think you needed to take clomid to be honest, cos you haven't been ttc#2 for very long. I think if everything is ok with you that clomid is a last resort kind of thing (though if it doesn't work for me I'm going to ask my consultant for metaforin(sp?))

I think the tixylix is to help increase/prodcue the right type of cervical fluid (Taking Charge of Your Fertility book). Then again rowingboat could just have a cough

Hi X, how are you doing?

another question, what's metaforin? what does it do?

Well................... I'm not sure but I've heard it mentioned on other threads, and my friend, who is a midwife, told me to ask my doctor for it when she heard that we were having problems ttc. But I think it's the same as 'going down the clomid' route - so don't even think about it

Hi X, ok, won't even think about it

just wondering about your DH and his swimmers, does he take vitamins to improve his sperm count?

i asked DH to go to GP and get his sperm counted and he got really insulted and upset

he says that he does not have a problem. we did conceive DS very quickly and we did get a faint positive last cycle. he is healthy, exercise regularly, normal weight, no smoking or drinking. so he is prob ok. but i wish he would go and get checked just so that that is one variable that we can rule out just in case, you know what i mean?

men are so sensitive sometimes. i got all my bits checked and bloods too!

Hi Heron, I'm glad to hear you are feeling a bit better, it is quite difficult when things don't quite pan out. I still think that you have had a good result, in the sense that you have only just started and to get a chemical so quickly is something quite positive IMO. Mind you, I'm not exactly an expert, but still!
I don't have a cough, I am taking tixylix for the gaufenissine (I know that is totally wrong )
It is to thin the cm so that is more like fertile quality cm. I guess it is just to try and keep the swimmers alive for longer, otherwise they might just peg out early.
Also taking 1000mg of Evening primrose up until ovulation, and I find that works too.
Dp/h's don't like having sperm tests do they?! Mine did it eventually, but he wasn't impressed. On the day he actually made a joke about it and was cool, he had normal swimmers all have width certificates. Do kids still get those?
Good luck with the clomid Xserial, any side-effects yet???

I'm refusing to have side effects

Hi X, apparently it is better to take clomid at night, just before you go to bed, so that if you get anyside effects, you are asleep.
that is what my friend told me. she took them but she got pcos so they did not work apparently

Haha Ok I'll try the 'at night' thing, but I've never heard of this before You've made me laugh though.

My dh is on selenium, zinc, B6 and Vit C at the moment for his little swimmers

Finances permitting, I'm hoping to works both up to taking the following:

SUPPLEMENT ........ YOU .......... PARTNER
Folic acid ........ 400mcg ....... ----
Zinc .................30mg ......... 30mg
Selenium ............100mcg ........ 100mcg
flaxseed oil ....... 1000mg ........ 1000mg
Vitamin B6 up to ... 50mg ........up to 50mg
Vitamin B12 up to .. 50mcg ..... up to 50mcg
Vitamin E .......... 200mg ......... 200mg
Vitamin C ......... 1000mg ......... 1000mg
Manganese ......... 5mg ............ 5mg
L-arginine ......... ---- ...........300mg
L-carnitine ........ - ..............100mg

this page

Hi Girlies!

Right, Day 30, and no sign of AF

I got really drunk at the weekend so now feeling guilty and don't even think there's a real chance I could be pg. How crap is that.

Oooooh juicylucytoo. Ooooooh. Fingers crossed for you. How long are you going to wait before testing?

juicylucytoo are you late yet or is 30 days normal?

I am at all the supplements everyone is taking. I am taking folic acid and that is it. Oh and given up caffeine. Perhaps I should look into it. Only 2nd cycle though of ttc so not too stressed at the moment.

I have bought a thermometer this month and been taking my temp every monring. More out of interest than anything at the moment. That book Taking Charge of Your Fertility as got me curious as to my cycle - I obviously knew nothing before and I am a graduate!!! How on earth have I manage dot get pg 4 times!?

Cece, it's a real eye-opener isn't it! I didn't (want to) know any of this stuff before now, and now I'm taking practically everything to get pg. I have to be honest, I think I would faint with shock if I got a bfp.
How do you remember to use the thermometer.
Juicy, never mind about the weekend, hope you get a positive, at least you will have had one last blow-out! Did you have a road cone on your head?
Oh Xserial, it's early days, but I think the tixylix worked a bit, but also gave me a runny nose all day, how romantic.