trying to become pregnant at 38

[joshy]

Had first chld at 35, conception was almost immediate. Second child much more trick - 5 months of tryin including 4 months of using an ovulator predictor. Dr just said keep on trying come back in 3 months. Very worries about declining fertility and facing dissapintment every month. Anyone wha can share experience ? Can anyoneone tell me what clomid is and does it work ? Is there any other treatment that increases fertility anyone knows about ? Any advice abiut how to tell most fertile time ?
Greatly appreciated .

hi ay, join come over to our thread, i'd do a link but don't know how to! it's the TTC no 14 santa knows what we want for xmas!

C u there. (its nice and supportive etc... and lots of intfo on teh whole TTC lark!

Hi Joshy .. after 6 months go to doctor and say you've been trying for a year (they only see people after a year really)

DO NOT BE PUT OFF by GP saying you already have a child and they have to be careful with resources you are entitled to the tests on the NHS
Are you charting ? have you read Toni Weschler How to take charge of your fertility (really worth a read)

My story: I had DS (conceived within 2 months) at 34 then got a shock when I didn't conceive quickly next time .. went to doc after 6 months (said it was a year) had blood tests .. no problem with my ovulating .. he refused to refer us to clinic .. I spoke to clinic (through a friend who was a nurse at Kings and went back and told GP what to write based on their advice (initial testing on NHS we would pay for any treatment required)

.. DH then had a sperm test and we saw consultant twice, charting in between for 3 months. Consultant immediately noticed a problem in my post-luteal phase (length of time between ov and AF has to be at least 10 days mine was 8) and gave me clomid to give me a boost to my system .. I conceived first month and DD now 6 months old

Supposedly hormones can settle differently after having a child

You can't just go on clomid just in case as you're not allowed more than 12 cycles of it

HTH .. feel free to CAT me if you want or I will check this thread again and respond

best thing for most fertile time is the ovulation predictor kits (if you can't be bothered charting which involves temps / mucous / cervical position)

Hi Joshy,

Just to let you know you're not alone. I'm 39 and have been ttc no. 3 for 5 months, this is cycle #6. I've literally just started using OPKs this week, which is expensive at £20 for 7 test sticks but hopefully worth it as I want to be sure i'm ovulating regularly.

I know from reading ttc threads that you can buy OPKs much cheaper online (I'm sure someone could post you a link, or Google it), also many ladies recommend Persona which cost about £65 new, but you can get them second hand either on this site or on Ebay.

If my OPK says that i ov this month, and I have no luck I will ask my GP for a blood test as I believe they can check for hormone levels which indicate how 'well' you ovulate. I found some interesting reading on the ivillage website
here

HTH, and keep in touch....good luck!

Hi JOshy - here is my story. Conceived ds when I was 33, within a month or two of trying. When he was a year old and I was 35 we started trying for #2. Again I conceinved very easily (first month) but miscarried at 3 months. After a further 18 months of trying we saw a specialist (by gp referral) and I was prescribed clomid as my cycle was irregular and ov difficult to pinpoint. I conceived within 2 months on clomid. Unfortunately I miscarried again at 3 months but restarted my clomid and again got pg on the second cycle. I am now 40wks + and waiting for my baby #2 to make his/her appearance right now!!

There are quite a few books available on increasing fertility and prolonging fertile years - I have lent mine to a friend so cannot give you the info. Take a trip to your local Waterstones and have a read. Also, I found Fertilityfriend.com brilliant for free charting and information.

Good luck

Thanks bunny2 for your story- I am older woman frustrated with TTC for 6 months - semms you has it hard ! Will keep posting !

Good luck marinda, you will get there one day soon, Im sure.

I was 36 when ttc number two. It took us a year, a bit longer than with number one (when I was 32). But we got there in the end

Good luck

I meant to say from starting to try to conceive to actual conception took around 20 months in our case

I would suggest temping / charting, using the website Fertility Friend as a guideline, to gain an understanding of your cycle and to indicate whether there are any irregularities, like a short luteal phase (see Twiglett's comments). It's also good information to take to your GP when you INSIST on a referral to a fertility specialist. Using OPKs is also extremely useful (though unbelievably expensive) - TBH I got on much better with my Persona than with temping. It's then possible to know exactly when you should be BDing. Various vitamins are recommended - e.g. zinc for both you and your DP/H. Check past threads for information. Are you doing the old pillow-under-bum trick after BDing? Not that I'm one at all to give advice. I'm also 38, first child at 34 (well, one month before 35th birthday). Conceived DS second month of trying, smooth pregnancy. Tried for #2 for well over 2 years, taking months & months to conceive before each of two miscarriages. Not an inspirational story, I'm afraid, but I understand the frustration and disappointment in TTCing.

At your age(s) I do strongly suspect the difference between immediate conception and waiting a few months is pure luck. I concieved my son at 37 after being off contraception for about five months. I conceived my current pregnancy at 40 at the very first attempt (no charting, no OPKs, just a whim!) - not just first cycle, but one an donly 'attempt' that month. Just sheer fluke. I am sure I didn't become significantly more fertile between 37 and 40. I'm not saying don't look at the clomid route or anything, just saying it can be pure chance, and five months isn't really a long time. 38 isn't too old.

Thanks for all your suppotive comments girls - will endeavour not to panic out just yet !