Over 40 TTC 2022 group

[teacupstorm22]

Just that...anyone in 40s TTC in 2022?
First, second babies?
Just want to know others exist 😃

@jalu47 hiya. I went to see the gp this morning and explained that we’d been trying for 9 months. He’s booked me in for thyroid function and progesterone blood tests on 5th oct.
They will defo look in to it after 6 months if you’re over 40. I have 2 DC already x

Thanks @Holls81 I'm going to make an appt!

@jalu47 no worries at all. X

@Holls81 it depends where you are (postcode lottery) as mine said they won't offer anything at all (I'm 41 a week today and weve been trying since last October), only day 21 bloods, because I already have a son. I'm tempted to argue in behalf of my partner as he has no children, so don't see why he should be penalised because he's with me? 😕

@autumnleaves17 @jalu47 im 42 have two teenagers from a previous relationship. My partner and I have been trying for 7months now and GP said as I’m over 40 and we’re post 6months if TTC we could have free tests. I’ve had 2 blood tests, ultrasound- all NAD ! And partner is booked in for a seamen analysis next week.

we wouldn’t be entitled to any IVF due to me already having children x

Hi I’m 42 ttc third baby love to all

Thanks @Bluelightbaby - hope this is the case for me, I'm going to book when back from holiday next week. I had some private bloods last month but want my husbands semen tested and ideally an ultrasound as potential PCO.. and tests showed I didn't ovulate this month.

Ok so I’m feeling very pensive these last few days after AF turned up again 🙄.
So as I said I’m booked in for cycle day 21 progesterone test next month. Doc says he’s confident I’m ovulating as my periods are really regular but I’ve read some articles saying that (especially in 40s) you can have normal periods but just not ovulate. Can anyone explain to me, in non complicated terms, about egg release. At our age do we tend to release an egg each month still? Is it just that that egg is likely to be not fertilisable due to various reason brought on by age? Or are eggs not released even though we still have periods? I’m so confused and tend to feel better once I understand what could be happening and why! Thank you x

Hi @Holls81

I was told by my consultant that we don't always release an egg (irrespective of age) I don't recall being told that it tends to be more common as we age though...eggs tend to lessen in quality as we age so that can cause issues with fertilisation (as they are of poorer quality/DNA damage). The issue is there is no test to test the quality of the egg unfortunately but the sperm also plays a big role in the fertilisation process too. I was told that during the days of 1-3 the egg leads and 4-5 the sperm (simplified explanation).

I'm about to turn 42 and am TTC 2nd baby (for the past 3 months). I had my first at 40 and got pregnant (at 39) first month of trying so I (naively) expected things to be quicker, though I know fertility drops off a cliff around 40. We've been told to see a fertility specialist after 3 months so will be booking that in soon but I wondered how this group is getting on? Have there been any success stories to give us a bit more hope?

I’m 41, first time trying, been trying a year, been waiting to speak to anyone in the nhs about this forever, was given a date of start of august to be given an appointment but haven’t yet been contacted. Very frustrated and looking into private ivf but we are struggling to find this kind of money

@Cally1980 sorry to hear you aren’t getting the support you need from the NHS. I turned 40 last week and have been trying for baby number two for 6 months. I’ve had 2 miscarriages in the last 6 months and am beginning to give up hope. You have to have 3 miscarriages before NHS help. I hope you get some support soon and an appointment. Good luck

@Fod80 hiya. I’m afraid I don’t have a success story to report but I thought I’d just say that I’m in the same boat as you. I’m 42. Have 2 dc already both were conceived first month of trying (also had a m/c between them which was also first month of trying) . I was the same as you and rather naively thought things would work more quickly. We’ve been trying since I was 41 (9 months) and nothing as yet. I’ve a blood test booked on 4th oct so will be interested to see what comes back from thyroid and progestin tests.
Fingers crossed for you. X

Hi @Holls81 Its great to chat to women in the same boat. Its funny how quickly TTC becomes so all-consuming, especially at this age! I do hope your tests go well and you get some answers. How old were you when you had your dcs?

@Fod80 it really is! I was 33 and 38 x

Just joining you all on this journey! I'm 45... Had a surprise pregnancy which sadly ended in mmc at 9 weeks (had d&c last week)
Although this one wasn't planned, we'd both have loved it to work out, and have decided to try again.
Have 3 children ages 18, 16, 13 so this is a bit mad!
Never had to ttc with the others- just happened with no effort at all. I suspect those days are gone, so I'm rapidly learning about ovulation tests and fertile days... its a whole new world!
Does anyone (uk) know if it's even worth talking to my gp for advice at this stage?

Wishing you all positive tests very soon!

@lizziecat1 it might be worth talking to your GP. Let us know how you get on.
I'm 44 and TTC number 2. It's been 7 months. I too fell quickly with DD1 but I was 39 then, gave birth a week after my 40th.
I've kind of taken the approach of if it happens it happens. The first few months of trying I was become obsessed.
I kind of feel I may have missed the boat.
Blessed to have one beautiful healthy child.
Good luck

@lizziecat1
hiya. I’m 42 and ttc #3
happened v quickly with previous 2 children (9 and 4) and have been trying 9 months now and nothing.
It’s definitely worth speaking with gp. I spoke to my gp who has put me forward for progesterone and thyroid function blood test on day 21 of my cycle, in a couple of weeks.
he was really supportive and said he sees lots of women in their 40s go on to have babies.
im not sure though, if there is a problem with either my thyroid or progesterone levels, what will happen. Does anyone know if it’s something that the gp can help with/ prescribe or if it will be a fertility doc? 🤔

@Holls81 it's not unusual to have an underactive thyroid. Put simply, thyroid activity is measured by a blood test for TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) levels. Ideally TSH levels should be below 3 for conception if I remember correctly. Mine was just over 5. It's an easy fix - I just take a levothyroxine tablet every morning. I conceived about 6 cycles after I started taking the medication (at age 40). Once pregnant, TSH levels will be monitored and your dose of levothyroxine increased.

I don't know about progesterone, sorry.

@pitterypattery00 thank you for this. Just wondering if you had any symptoms for the thyroid issue?

@Holls81 No, no symptoms at all. I think I read somewhere that it's only at a TSH level above 10 that you'd generally start seeing symptoms. So my level was high enough to make conception less likely but not high enough to cause me any noticeable effects.
It was the only one of my blood tests that came back 'abnormal'.

TSH levels continue to be monitored in hypothyroid women during the first couple of trimesters of pregnancy as if levels are too high they can increase risk of miscarriage and have negative effect on the baby's development.

I read an opinion piece where a doctor or scientist (I forget which) was arguing that all women of childbearing age should be tested and medicated if TSH above 3 in case they become pregnant, because of potential risks to unborn child. Whereas in general, medication is only good given to those with higher TSH levels experiencing symptoms or those like me who happened to be tested as trying to conceive.

Thank you. I've booked an appointment. Slightly embarrassed to discuss this with my GP - she's been our GP since my children were born, and I'm sure she will think I'm mad, wanting to try again at my age! I'll definitely ask about T4/TSH though.

So this has got me thinking today….
im having ovulation pain today. When you get ovulation cramps, does that signal that the egg is about to be released or that it’s already been released? I know once it is, it only lives for around 12 hours so just curious really re window for fertility once cramps have occurred.
lots of conflicting articles online and just wondered if anyone had been told about this by a professional?
TIA

Both 42 and recently started TTC for our first!! AF here today, but appreciate it’s really early days for us! Fingers crossed 🤞🏼 so helpful to read all these posts - thank you!

@Tillypups I have birth to my first a week after my 40th...
Now trying for our second, just turned 44 😊
Fingers crossed for you...

Are using OPK's or temping ?
Or an app?
I use Flo and Ovia