33yo, 3 months ttc, 26 day cycle, looking for advice

[ttchopeful]

I am 33yo and TTC for the first time. We are 3 months in and starting to feel deflated. We have been taking Pregnacare His & Her Conception tablets daily, tracking ovulation with Clear Blue digital and DTD at least once a day in the fertile window.

Today AF arrived again and I would like advice on if I should get my fertility checked out? I've been tracking my cycle for over 2 years and it is typically 26 days. AF is usually light and lasts around 3 days. I have never had period pains.

From tracking recently, I've learned that ovulation is CD 14 which means my luteal phase is only 12 days. I have read here that implantation can take up to 12 days, so I'm concerned my cycle isn't long enough. Should I talk to my GP?

We waited until we'd got to a place in our lives when we thought we were ready and now that we're ready I'm worried that we waited too late.

It's only been 3 months. I know it's rubbish when your period arrives, but it is very early days to start worrying.

It’s only been 3 months. You usually wouldn’t qualify for investigations until 12 months! Also not necessary to DTD at least once daily. Will reduce speed quality. Every other day is sufficient.

Should read sperm. Not speed.

A luteal phase of over 10 days is normal. 12 days is fine.

Chance of conception is never more than 25% which is why it takes 6-12 months on average. Sex every other day or every 3 days is also fine, maybe even better as sperm quality and quantity improves.

All sounds perfectly fine 🙂

Thank you! Just looking for some reassurance and this all helps. I really "felt pregnant" this month and so today really got me down. My husband is v much enjoying the baby-making and will be disappointed to hear we might be overdoing it – but this is all good advice!

I say this with all the kindness in the world (and as someone trying for 16 months)....but stop researching and reading everything on TTC. There's plenty of time for it IF you get to the 12 month point with no luck. Until then, it'll just stress you out and totally preoccupy you IMHO

@tootrueblue I'm sorry if my post was insensitive. That sounds tough and I wish you all the luck. For me, there was a day when something clicked and I "was ready" – and as soon as I knew that I wanted it to happen immediately. I am slowly learning that this is not how ttc works and I'm finding it hard not being in control. Thank you for your reassurance x

No it wasn't insensitive at all. I was trying (and probably failed, sorry!) to reassure you that you don't need to worry any time soon. These things take time. 😊

Stress plays a big part in the baby game. I am like you, always perk up at the slightest "signs" and disappointed in myself when AF comes. It is not healthy.

Relax and enjoy it! God forbid if no good news in 12 months trying, go to the GP.

You're dtd too much. There's a really interesting video on YouTube by Prof Charles Kingsland about sperm production that explains why you don't dtd every day.
3 months isn't long enough for fertility tests, give it more time.
Dtd every other day in the fertile week and carry on living your life. It took us 14 months to get our bfp and its a long and stressful journey.

Just to say this all sound every normal, as others have said completely normal to take between 6-12 months to conceive. Doesn't make it any easier tho! ❤️ 12 day luteal phase is good.

I would suggest taking a different prenatal, one with natural folate rather than folic acid, as this is better absorbed by the body. Brands I like are Terra Nova and cytoplan. My partner takes Wellman conception as well. Omega 3 can help too.

Also as others have said, might be better to DTD every 2 days rather than every day.
Are you tracking using cervical mucus and temperature? This is most effective for pinpointing ovulation, and the LH tests help a lot too (but you can ovulate 12-48 hours in average after a positive lh test so it's not always indicative that ovulation is super close!)

Best of luck x

Hi Op 3 months is still early days. As for fertility concerns I would say all your stats look similar to mine. My cycle is usually 25-26 days with a 12 day luteal phase. I'm early 30's and my periods would usually last around 3 days (all normal and healthy! 😃). I do however have endo but currently pregnant with first baby after 3 cycles. I reckon you'll be fine just need to keep trying. My advice would be to have a bit less sex as others have said, it can reduce quality and quantity of sperm. We only dtd twice the month we fell pregnant and I remember stressing about not doing it enough 😂 good luck! And I hope you get your BFP soon x