Over 40 TTC 2022 group

[teacupstorm22]

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

Positive stories needed please!
Morning all. AF arrived yesterday so we’re now on to cycle 16 with not one positive pregnancy test. 🥲
This month it’s hit me hard and I’m feeling really down about it all.
I’ve just turned 43 and we’ve been trying since I was 41.
I have positive opk’s, periods are still very regular and I’ve had 21 day bloods done and all ‘normal.’
We have 2 children already (both conceived first month of trying) so I’ve no reason to think there’s a prob with hubby’s swimmers.
We both eat super healthily (most of the time) but do enjoy a drink at the weekend.
I take ubiquinol (600g a day ) wheatgrass (although only started this recently) and prenatal supplement plus zinc and vitamin d.
I’m reading ‘it starts with the egg’ and finding it really interesting.
I was under the impression that egg quality cannot be improved however, to learn that some of the damage of the eggs only happens in the few months before they are released has got me thinking… I run a cleaning business (and have done since after having dc2) so am often around cleaning products etc.
I don’t wear rubber gloves a lot of the time so now I’m wondering whether this might be an issue. Or, in your understanding, is it inhalation that causes damage?
Has anyone been in my position and then gone on to have a positive test and successful pregnancy after all this time? Also, did you do anything differently in the months leading up to it?
Thanks for reading xx

Hi @Holls81 I was 40 when I conceived (after 12 cycles) so not directly comparable. But I just wanted to suggest getting your thyroid levels checked if you haven't already (I discovered I was hypothyroid after 5/6 mths trying so I actually conceived fairly quickly after that was treated). I also wanted to add that I did absolutely nothing different the month I conceived. I think in our 40s we may only release one or two good quality eggs a year so it's just a case of 'being in it to win it' each month. I wanted to give myself the best possible chance so I did reduce alcohol, caffeine, took some supplements etc. I felt that even if each change only made a very tiny difference, taken together they may make a real difference to chances of conception. Of course I'll never know if it made a difference. Chemicals can absorb through the skin - that's not to say wearing gloves will definitely improve your chances, but seems an easy change to try to maximise your chances. Good luck 🤞

@Holls81 Its a hard journey, but really positive that you conceived x2 before! Getting my hormone levels checked (and thyroid, as mentioned above) was really useful to me in knowing where I stand - quantity (and likely) quality-wise - even though the news wasn't great so I would recommend that if you can.
We have been TTC since Aug/Sept last year and I got pregnant in January (at 42). It didn't end well but the month I did conceive was the month after I started taking my antenatal vits religiously + ubiquinol so I do think we play a role in optimising things and I'll be continuing with it. It was also the month after I took a couple of measures to help lower my stress levels (I have a stressful, full-time job and do most of the childcare/domestic stuff on top of that, but handing over "bedtime" which isn't easy in our house, gave me a much-needed hour or two to decompress in the evening). Whether it was a coincidence or not will be seen in the next few months, I guess. Fingers crossed!

Just thinking about all you ladies and wondering if anyone has any updates? We're still TTC and no luck since the MMC end of March. We had one cycle of IVF last month that led to 0 eggs retrieved so will see where to go from here. I don't want to "waste time" trying naturally but at same time I don't see too much point spending thousands of pounds when, at best, I'll get 1-3 eggs instead of 1. Started taking all the recommended It Starts with the egg supplements - so will see if that produces any better eggs!

I'm still TTC. Have had one MMC in March and one IVF round in May which despite getting good numbers of both eggs and embryos didn't work. Will give it one more go IVF but think I'll either accept it won't happen for us or maybe (very slight maybe) consider donor eggs.

AF arrived today. Sigh. Still TTC here, turn 41 in September. Had two missed miscarriages last year. Had a healthy boy when I was 38 after 16 months TTC which I’m very grateful for. @Cofefefe I read of a mum who’s child was born after using a donor egg say my baby is 50% the donors, 50% my husbands and 100% all mine. There’s more we pass on than our genes, there’s our hearts and souls xxx hoping it happens for all of us on our next cycle xxx

Hi all, don’t know if anyone else is still on this. Contemplating IVF, lords knows how we will afford that. Anyone else in the same boat. 2 years of trying ‘naturally’ for baby number two, my son turns 3 in Jan. I’m so lucky to have him. But would love one more. Have done NHS fertility testing and ultrasound and no issues found. I know it takes time but as I turned 41 in September I can’t shake the clock is ticking feeling. Trying to make peace with a one child family but always imagined two of them running about.

Have you looked into immunes? It can be a cause of secondary infertility, Gorgy, Shehata , Argc and others can treat . Best of luck

Thanks. I actually used to work in the RIC laboratory from 2009-2012. Would be very strange to go back as a patient but life has a circular pattern doesn’t it! I’ll look into it thanks. Due to age I assumed chromosomal issues with eggs but maybe my two miscarriages might be to do with immunology.