TTC 35+ Thread 12

[Misty84]

Hope this works girls, haven’t done this before, we’ve run out of space on the other thread.
@thislittlebird @ElsieG3m @Marvellouslymadmum @KatRee @Anxiouswannabe

@RugbyGirl1 thanks! I know I should, i work in live music so it had been a fairly painful 18 months in the run up to this which does make it more special I suppose it’s just hard when I know all my friends (with kids) will say how great it is I’ve been able to focus on this (which it is, but it wasn’t plan a). Mine are day 19 tests (should be 21 but my cycle is 26 days so it’s 19) what are yours?

@thislittlebird glad you’re feeling a bit calmer and I’m absolutely sure you only debated as opposed to shouting 😂(!!). It sounds so draining especially when it’s the build up to something really challenging too so be kind to yourself - I bet they have a lot of people debating with them. My crying was so so ugly and I felt so terrible for taking it all out on him when he couldn’t really not have told me (besides which I knew she was due any day) but I think it was just the final straw that day and everything came tumbling out. I got flowers and a very clean flat the next day so I know I must have been a real state 😂. He’s a naturally 100% positive always got energy kind of person. I normally am v optimistic but I think his whole ‘I promise it will all be ok’ makes me cry more because it’s basically a lie....it might be ok but he definitely doesn’t know that. I have day 21 tests but on day 19 (I do have a slightly shorter cycle) which he thinks might be too early but they won’t do them Saturday or Sunday so I figure nothing to lose doing them and if they’re bad we can try again next month if it could be that it was too early. At this point I’ll take what I can get appointment wise. I know exactly when I ovulated because I got the static smiley on Friday so I can tell the nurse that and she can decide.

Did you get a date for IVF from Guys yet?

@Carla2601 I know exactly how you feel, we all have down times when we can only see the negative in all this but lots do you on to get pregnant and have happy healthy babies 🤞🏻 for us all. Congratulations on your promotion too

@RugbyGirl1 yes I took clomid this month days 2-6, no real side effects apart from some banging headaches so far and I'm cd11 today awaiting ovulation and a scan tomorrow to see how I've responded.

@thislittlebird do they not scan on the weekend? I thought they would being a private clinic!

I get bad pms symptoms, lots of bloating, lots of really bad pain in my back and tummy but that's because I have adenomyosis and suspected endometriosis too. I have had other symptoms on occasion and had all the pregnancy symptoms some months with no pregnancy 😳

Ah same @Carla2601 I have 26 day cycles too. My bloods for Friday are the standard day 2/3 bloods which I think test LH and FSH but she's also put me down for prolactin, testosterone, rubella immunity, chlamydia antibodies and TSH levels... So a whole range of things, I'm sure I've forgotten one too 🤔. The GP advised I book my day 21 progesterone test for day 18 due to the shorter cycles so day 19 sounds like it would be ok for you?

Good luck with your scan today @Marvellouslymadmum

@thislittlebird a three hour round trip 3 times in a week sounds utterly exhausting. Hope you get a chance to find a bit of relaxation and calm over the next few days

@RugbyGirl1 sounds like your gp actually know what they're talking about! I've just been told to do my day 21 progesterone on day 21 even though it's likely I won't ovulate until later than day 14 🤦🏼‍♀️

Scan was unhelpful, again they couldn't see my ovaries same as before due to excessive bowel gas and the fact that they weren't where they should be! Eventually found my right one but could only just see it, saw one 12mm follicle but there could've been more and couldn't find the left ovary at all. So I've no idea how many follicles I have or if it's working or not

I was pretty impressed with my GP - she did seem to know what she was talking about and has been very thorough putting me down for all those other blood tests! I did wait longer for an appointment though to specifically speak with her as on the website it details their areas of specific interest / expertise. Next hurdle = them actually getting any blood out of me to test!

Sorry to hear your scan was unhelpful and they couldn't see everything. Where does that leave you now @Marvellouslymadmum? What are the next steps?

@RugbyGirl1 I'm just left to carry on in the hopes clomid has actually done something 🤷🏼‍♀️ I assume they'll check I've ovulated on the day21 test (though that'll probably be in accurate too as I'm not likely to ovulate just yet but they still want it on day21 🙄) so then they'll think it's not working and probably tell me not to take it then next couple of months or just leave me to it and see what happens I've no idea really

Checking back in after a bit of a pause. I found out last weekend that I was pregnant again following the CP at the end of August. However, I've just had bloods drawn to check the hcg level which was only 7 at 4+5 so looks like another miscarriage. I don't really know what to do from here. Feel so completely crushed. How everyone else is getting on better and that we get some good news on here soon.

@MargotChateau I'm so sorry to see you've experienced a loss also. Do you think you need ivf at this stage given that you've conceived successfully and naturally? Would you be willing to give it a little more time? Apologies I don't know your reasons - just know that I'm in a similar position but don't think ivf an option for us just yet xx

I'm so sorry to hear @ElsieG3m!

My OB-GYN told me that her theory for why some women just suffer more chemicals than others is that their bodies kinda realise on a later stage if the egg is viable or not, if there are any chromosomal abnormalities, so they will let it get to the point of implantation, while other bodies get rid of it on an earlier stage. It kinda made sense to me, especially if you take all the vitamins and get the body "ready for pregnancy".

@Bundaberg84 thank you. I've booked in a hysteroscopy and investigations for nk cells with Jan Brosens. It's so odd - pre pregnancy with my daughter, I conceived easily and quickly, then nothing for 6 months until hycosy; then conceived 6 weeks later; then 6 weeks after that with this one. I wonder if my body needs some inflammation/trauma to do anything...but maybe that's just nonsense and straw clutching! Xx

@ElsieG3m sorry to hear that, have they given you progesterone yet? (Sorry if we've spoken about this before - memory like a seive)
@Bundaberg84 that actually does make good sense!

@Marvellouslymadmum yes but I started it late - 4 days after BFP. I gather it's best after ovulation? So maybe that's next...
Hope you're doing well?

@ElsieG3m yes definitely, I've seen lots of people take it after confirmed ovulation and get a sticky bfp. I'm ok everything's all confusing over here but other than that great haha

@Marvellouslymadmum thanks! Worth a shot I guess. I have a very short luteal phase (8-9 days) so maybe it could help. Oh dear - are you having treatment at the mo?

Thanks @RugbyGirl1 I’ll mention this list when I go today and see if they’ll test me for all of that.

How’s your TWW? When’s AF due for you? I’m 13th

@Carla2601 did you have your tests? No, no IVF date yet. I’m tired of waiting. I think @RugbyGirl1 was having some too?

@Marvellouslymadmum I’m really annoyed with them. Out of the blue today they said I could have a weekend appointment! When I was literally on the bed, knickers off! Why didn’t they offer me one before??? Clearly the weekend was when I needed to go in. Anyway, I went today like a good little infertile and surprise surprise, I’m not ready to trigger 😑. I knew it, I TOLD them today was too early, it annoys me they just want me to keep coming back at not an insignificant cost for each scan. So now I’m going again on Monday which is very annoying but it’s the last cycle of Letrozole so I’m trying to remain as unbothered as is possible 🤨.

I had 2 follicles on the right at 12mm each and 2 on the left, one 15mm and one 16mm (so they need a couple more days). My lining was 11mm. It’s always my left ovary that responds, my right just doesn’t seem so responsive and functional. They grow a bit but then the left follicles are always the dominant ones. Hopefully that won’t impact ivf too much, it does make me think I can’t count on that right ovary. She said ‘your body loves Letrozole!’ like she was surprised by my fast response but I already told them I respond well/fast, it’s been exactly the same pattern each month and they ignored my protests so 🤷‍♀️.

@ElsieG3m really sorry to hear it doesn’t sound like good news for this one. Have you considered a complete break for a couple of months? It might help to take some time off from ttc.

@thislittlebird thank you. I feel a bit exhausted by it all I have to say. I'm not sure yet. I've lined up a few appointments so I think naturally we'll have to break for a bit - I'm having a hystercopy later in the month so we won't be able to try before that. I'm just fearful of missing good eggs if they're popping by... (wishful thinking!).

How are you doing?

@ElsieG3m I think you said you have decent AMH so I really wouldn’t fret over good or bad eggs, you have time. You might be catching bad ones too, it’s impossible to know! I’m just knackered tbh.

I’m fed up of fertility clinics and scans and progesterone and timed intercourse. We’ll be having a break after this next BFN anyway, we’re going away for a week and then it’s only a few weeks until Christmas. I think we’ll need the break before we start ivf in the new year.

@thislittlebird that sounds frustrating....sorry they’re making this even more difficult but sounds like you’re doing a good job of advocating for yourself, not that you should have to, especially at the prices you’re paying! Sounds like good follicle progress, hopefully Monday goes well keep us posted.

My tests were fine, actually better than fine. Nurse an actual angel. I came in and she said he (doctor) was only testing me for one thing but that might not prove anything so she said sod it I’ll put you down to be tested for absolutely everything and I’ll do the same for your second set. It had taken her 5 years and she was being so so nice. My veins never play ball and it took her so long and she spent the whole time being encouraging and telling me positive stories so I cried (must improve resilience and now my notes almost certainly say can’t even handle a blood test might be insane) but she was really helpful and I at least feel like she will try and help. I also looked hilarious on leaving having snotted all over my mask and made my freshly tinted eyelashes run all my face so that was another win 😂

I'm glad the list was useful @Carla2601 and the nurse agreed to test you for everything - that's really good. I'm sure the nurses / doctors staff see all sorts as part of their job so I wouldn't worry but glad she made you feel comfortable. My nurses face dropped when I walked in as she knows how difficult it is to get blood out of me but we somehow managed! AF arrived bang on time on Thursday after the usual spotting so on CD4 now. Wasn't even sad about this cycle not being successful, it had been a stressful month and not managed to DTD anywhere near enough. Onwards and upwards!!!

Sorry to hear about your loss @ElsieG3m. I have a short LP too at around 9 days and wonder if progesterone would help. I usually start spotting before enough time has passed to do a pregnancy test that would show any sort of result. The sonography commented on a thin lining when I found out about my early loss in September. Does progesterone help with lining, too?

Hope tomorrow goes OK for you @thislittlebird. I can see why you're fed up with it all 😔 a break away sounds great!

@Marvellouslymadmum it's so bad that they just leave you hanging - very unhelpful! When is your day 21 test? I've got mine booked for a few weeks time now.

DH is meant to be booking in for a SA but keeps putting it off.... Anyone else have this? If I mention it he tells me to stop nagging! Just book it then!

To help feel like I'm doing something else to help, I've booked a fertility acupuncture appointment for next week. Has anyone tried this before? Don't really know what to expect!

Hope you're all well and had good weekends 😊

And apologies for the essay 😂 I had a bit of catching up to do!

Hello ladies. Still TTC #1 10 months in and no luck yet. We got married and moved house in the middle so haven't been to drs yet. Have just registered at local practice to start the ball rolling. Feelings bit down about it all. Does anyone have any words of wisdom? Xxx

Good luck today @thislittlebird - hope it goes well.

@RugbyGirl1 glad to hear you’re not feeling too sad and hoping this month is less stressful! I’ve got 5 days left but zero symptoms so suspect I’m out.

@charja100 welcome. No words of wisdom I’m afraid, but definitely get booked in for tests as that at least feels like you’re making some progress, also get your partner to book in too. Be kind to yourself, it’s tough we know x

Thanks @Carla2601. I had 1 x 20mm and 1 x 21mm ready to roll, as expected! The small ones hadn’t grown, which is what you want because if they had they won’t let me trigger.

On the plus side, I think this time it’s going to be in line with my natural ovulation so maybe that’s a good thing, I got EWCM this morning, will do the trigger when I get home today.

@charja100 no words of wisdom since I’m still here 🙃. I found the approach to one year ttc quite hard.

@RugbyGirl1 yes I think it would be worthwhile asking? Progesterone helps to sure up the womb lining. Can you book a private appt and ask? I think it's either taking from just after ovulation or from point of positive pregnancy test but you'd need a specialist to advise. So sorry for your loss and hope the progesterone works for you. Ask about aspirin too if you can. It helps many women but depends on the issue of course.

@ElsieG3m I'm on cycle one of clomid and I've no idea what my body is up to 😂 just carrying in dtd and hoping for the best!

@thislittlebird how annoying!! Why wouldn't they tell you weekend was an option before 🤦🏼‍♀️ glad the two follicles are doing their job though!

@Carla2601 made me lol it's really nice when you get someone who actually understands isn't it?!

@RugbyGirl1 they've told me to have it on 11th but I can't even work out if I've ovulated or not yet! I've had several high opk and my temps are up and down like a yo-yo 🤷🏼‍♀️ I'm hoping I'll get clear ovulation in the next couple of days then I'll phone the doc and ask if I can have the tests 7 days after that instead. My dh didn't want his either luckily they let me book it in for him and I made him do it 😂

@charja100 congratulations on getting married and the new house, I wouldn't get disparaged too much just yet 10 months isn't too long, get an appointment with your gp and see if they'll do some tests for you