2023 TTC 35+

[VixFromThe6ix]

Hi everyone!!
Wanted to start another group thread for those TTC that are 35+.
When I was first trying, this group helped me a lot. We bonded and went through pains and celebrations together. I had two MCs over 2yrs of trying and lots of crying as I was typing many of my posts. Support helped... Especially at this age.
I had my first baby Jan 2022 and here we are now trying for baby #2.
I'll be 40 this summer!!!
Join me and share your story ☺️

I love that there are so many of us with similar DPOs. Crossing fingers for everyone.

I'm also not super optimistic as what are the chances to get pregnant on the first cycle lol but I started my journey so I'm happy to share it with you all and be part of yours 💕

Welcome @IncredibleMrsHulk !!

@BengalMama thank you for sharing, that is exactly how I feel. My husband is wonderful and has booked loads of lovely stuff for us, saw Derren Brown on Wednesday which definitely took my mind off things. Because of the miscarriage we can get early scans for future pregnancies at the EPU and he thinks this is really positive (as well as the temping/vitamins knowledge). So he keeps saying if we are back at the beginning at least we are super prepared!

@IncredibleMrsHulk welcome!

I had a normal gynaecologist appointment for an irregular couple of periods. This included bloods (AMH, FSH, thyroid etc) and trans vaginal ultra sound. I had it through PMI but it was only around £300 so I thought it was quite good value and seemed cheaper than fertility clinics (anecdotally).

I have been taking Inessa pregnancy vitamins as pregnacare changed their ingredients which triggered my food allergy. Unfortunately Inessa now have too so going to look to get the vitamins separately from next month!

I have been having pomegranate juice (supposed to be good for uterus blood flow and has lots of vits) and manuka honey (I kept getting sick so have been having this to boost my immune system). We also tried pineapple core and have been super careful with our diets (range and number of veggies aiming for 25 different ones a week). No alcohol for either of us (got really into no/super low alcohol beer, low caffeine and gentle exercise (we did endurance sports before so have toned it down).

Does anyone have any vitamin/supplement recommendations?

Apologies again, I don't seem to be capable of short messages! 😊

@VixFromThe6ix
Thank you and thanks for setting up this thread.

@TheFanciestPants
Super helpful message! Massive thank you xx
A few questions............. is the pineapple core for bromelain?
And if you don't mind me asking, why did you dial down on the endurance sports? I regularly workout (5+ days a week) so I figured this would be OK to continue with whilst trying to conceive. Or does research suggest otherwise? Advice greatly appreciated.

@IncredibleMrsHulk yes on the bromelaine. We figured it couldn't hurt as I do really like pineapple. Evidence is mixed though so if you don't like pineapple it's unlikely to matter.

I think the evidence is also mixed on exercise so i think it is a personal choice. I was a bit extreme as we did the Nijmegen marches (200km walking over 4 days) before TTC. So cycling an hour every weekday, 2 or 3 gym sessions a week and at least 12 hours (on either one or both days) walking on the weekend. So I decided to cut down a bit and go from HIIT and long distances to being a bit more sedate. My plan now it is warmer is to cycle one day, gym 2 days (pilates and walking to and from the gym which is around an hour in total) and then 12500+ steps the other days. So definitely still exercising but more moderation than before!

Hope that helps x

Agree with @TheFanciestPants I think it depends on type of exercise. Some studies said long distance running was an issue others said it's fine as long as it doesn't interrupt your cycle. I chose to really cut down on distance so now only do about 30k a week to maximise chances.

@IncredibleMrsHulk Sex Ed indeed 😂I try to not get too obsessed, and I don’t track ovulation (yet)….but it’s already an exciting journey. Plus I don’t know many others who TTC their first at my age, most 39/40 year old women are TTC their second or third, so it feels like I’m the newbie 🙂

Hi everyone.

I'm ttc my 4th. My youngest is 16 and I've just turned 40.

When I had my others I was never actively trying, but now given my ages I understand I'll need help.

What should I be doing/taking? Thank you

Welcome!!
I'm 39 and just taking a prenatal right now.
Trying for baby #2.
For baby#1, I did also take progesterone. I was 37-38.
I also track ovulation with easy at home strips.

Hi all, great to hear so many of you are in the TWW, sending baby dust to you all and I can't wait to see some positive news!

My temp dropped yesterday and had some spotting so I'm out but feeling okay, have been distracting myself with garden work this weekend, determined this is the year we have a garden to be proud of!

I’m ‘taking’ the Better You conception spray now after dabbling with ALL the Zita West products back in summer. I think taking so many products led to my ovulation being delayed and I’m now ovulating on day 13 again vs 16. A lot of people recommend CoQ10 too but I no longer take this religiously.

I’m 3DPO today and blooming heck it’s going slowly! I had bad cramps this morning but we had a very spicy and rich meal last night so probably just my body punishing me! 😂

Thank you for the useful exercise info ladies @TheFanciestPants and @Un7breakable wishing you a good week in the gym/running/cycling!! xx

@Amadeaa Very true, feels like we're in the minority. Wishing you all the best and a short journey! Xx

So coming up to 36 soon and it's been 13 years since my first DC. I am worried we will struggle to conceive. Tracking ovulation etc, but think I may have a short luteal phase. I'm stressing alot about it!
Spoken to doctors because my blood work come back with an iron deficiency. Am taking a supplement but my period is about 9 days! With the first 5 days being spotting. The doctors said that the low iron could contribute to the spotting and longer periods..

Anyways they are sending me for blood work to check progesterone level, but has to be CD21. (Worrying as ovulation was cd20 this month). Should I be concerned about this?
Then they are referring me for a scan and also an early smear to rule anything out.

My head is ready to explode! 😱😕 I'm also worried about a smear if we may be in the tww. Will this mean the conception won't be viable? So confused! Xxx

@Floralsandsmiles I had a smear from a consultant gynaecologist in the TWW and she said it was 100% fine. I didn't conceive that month but I have no reason not to believe her!

I understand you are worried, so best to get it investigated. Progesterone is the one most people will cite for spotting as limited downside for taking. But could be worth getting bloods taken more generally to rule anything else out?

I know it's really tough but you got pregnant before so it's definitely possible to happen again.

Wishing you lots of baby dust.

Also I think progesterone test should be 7 days after you ovulate. So worth flagging as they seem to assume everyone has a 28 day cycle, ovulating day 14!

Thank you for this @TheFanciestPants !
I think she said it was a general blood work, to rule out thyroid etc too. But will include progesterone.
Yes I told her I ovulated late and she didn't seem to be listening about it being on cd18 (not cd20, I got it wrong). I just figured I would go 7 days after ovulation, as I have to book it myself anyways. Ignore the cd21 request as it would be wrong.. xxx

Yes @Floralsandsmiles no point doing progesterone if it’s not 7dpo.

4dpo today and feeling..... Nothing 😂
How's is everyone else today?

Hi @VixFromThe6ix! I'm 5dpo. I'm probably overthinking, but I have had cramping and bloating alot in the.first few days after ovulation, now its on and off. I have such severe heartburn and acid reflex now though! And also really vivid dreams.. xxx

Sometimes I envy those of you girls that feel things.... Even before I never felt anything till like week 4 or even later. It's exciting to feel things cause you know your body is making some changes.
Maybe I'm out this cycle 🤷🏼‍♀️
Though I did have a naughty dream about my husband the other night and I never have naughty dreams 😂

I feel like I'm massively overthinking. I got pregnant last time after 18 months of utter stress with a house move, then covid hit, we moved into our new home, there was a pest infestation and I was studying. I got both antenatal and postnatal depression, unsurprisingly, but just didn't recognise it at the time. I finished my studies last month, so expected the stress to evaporate.

Turns out brains don't work that way. I'm absolutely desperate to enter this next pregnancy in a positive headspace, but I'm so worried in case I'm actually just mentally not great any more and that if I do get pregnant again, what if it all happens again? I'm solo parenting too as my DH works away and our families don't live close, so I'm really hyper aware how morning sickness might be with a toddler.

I don't feel like we can risk any longer to let me properly settle and relax because you just never know how long it's going to take you to conceive (especially with a DH working away 🤣). But I can't seem to just get through a bad/ tired day any more. I'm just constantly trying to work out if I'm in a bad headspace or of it's a sign or what.

I would blame the lack of adult company for overthinking but I've always been this way 😄

O don't honey @VixFromThe6ix ! I'm probably making it all up in my head!! It's the insomnia and tiredness I am (all the time at the moment) xxx

I think we are all guilty of overthinking and it's totally normal. It sounds like you've had so much on your plate. Did you take any time off to just relax and clear your head?
I have a 13mos old and I also think about all the negative scenarios if I got pregnant. But also, I can't wait to see him and his sibling play together. You're right it's probably going to be very hard for a while but it will get easier.

Hi all - I’m 42 and trying to conceive baby number 4. I had a MMC in August, got pregnant again in December and sadly had to terminate for medical reasons on February 12th. I’ve no idea when I’m due to ovulate but don’t want to wait a full cycle to start trying again because of my age. Hopefully as I can conceive, the next will be healthy.

Hi, welcome!
So sorry to hear about your MC and termination. Hope you're doing ok.
Sending some sticky baby dust your way 💖