Last chance at TTC without IVF - please help..

[HopefulElle]

Hi everyone,

We've been trying to conceive for 2 years (both 35), started off very casually ‘not trying not to get pregnant’ and for the last year, actively trying. No luck at all. We’ve both had fertility assessments and the doctor could see no reason why we’ve not conceived, but said she would recommend IVF sooner rather than later anyway, given our ages and that it hasn’t happened for us.

We’ve decided to give it 3 more months of the usual - healthy eating, no booze (admittedly had been low booze, but now going for none at all), using clear blue OPKs etc..
Is there anything else we could be trying to optimise our chances? Whether for conceiving naturally or via IVF? Obviously glad it wasn’t worse news from the doctor but just really at a loss as to why it hasn’t happened for us, and I want it to so so badly.

Really appreciate any advice.

Thanks x

Look up the sperm meets egg method! Worked for me with my daughter the first month we tried it (after 2 unsuccessful months)

The month I got pregnant I also started taking COQ10 and switched from pregnancare to seven seas pre natals. No idea if that made any difference but those were the variables the month I got pregnant.

Good luck!

Use OPKs twice a day around your fertile window. You can miss a surge otherwise.

Are you using Preseed or similar?
Taking Co-Enzyme Q10?

Would your GP give you Clomid or similar before you move to IVF? Mine did for unexplained IF and it worked twice (both times in the month after I took it, which is apparently quite common.) I've had IVF too.

Good luck!

Have you read 'it starts with an egg'? I started taking the supplements recommended in there and got pregnant not long after. Which was after 15 months trying, test results looking fine, aged 35 and after being recommended and referred for IVF.

Hope it happens for you soon x

Thanks everyone, have ordered COQ10, seven seas and preseed (have only been taking folic acid to date) and will read up on other recommendations too. We were referred by GP but unfortunately wait in our area is currently 45 weeks.. didn’t feel like we wanted to wait that long so have gone private, on the flip side of no waiting list I feel like they’re very much incentivised to have you go through with IVF. As much as I’m desperate for a baby it’s expensive, and physically and emotionally draining process - which still might not work, so want to make sure we’ve really done all we can x

@HopefulElle I am at the same place as yourself - secondary infertility coming up to 18months
we are on a countdown before we book in for private IVF so throwing it ALL in there. So we have no regrets paying extreme amounts of money on something where perhaps we could have tried harder (nonsensical I know!) because sometime ivf might just be what’s best!
anyway here’s my list for this month;

sperm meets egg plan
ALL the vitamins, his and hers agree with the CQ10 and gynaecologist told us both to take high strength Vitamin d
pre seed
ferti Lily cup
light / moderate exercise only nothing too intense
Healthy as I possibly can be and healthy fats diet

it is a LOT of faff and seems intense but I just need to know I tried my hardest before I splash life savings ✨✨
things can take 3 months to kick in. So after 3 months of this intensity I’ll be skipping off to the IVF clinic knowing we tried our best

fingers crossed OP!

@lottieb92 thank you for sharing, is there a link between infertility and intense exercise? I do exercise intensely, but am not underweight, so this wasn’t something I’d considered.
I hope it happens for you - ideally in one of the next three months! X

Are you in the UK? I would definitely push for Clomid first and if the wait is so long to see someone anyway do you mean you’re waiting three months before asking to go on the list? You might as well be on the waiting list in the meantime.

Keep using the ovulation tests and also are you using preseed? I know it’s so hard but don’t pile the pressure on.. easier said than done I know. Also I would consider a zinc supplement for your DH. Good luck xxx

Yes there is - intense exercise can limit your chances. Better to just be moderate about everything and try and relax x

I used Agnus castus when I had difficulty TTC
Good luck with whatever you do

@HopefulElle they say whatever is normal for you is usually absolutely fine! However it can just be a little hard on your body. So after your fertile window and in the TWW maybe ease into more moderate and not HIIT exercise - as always though I’d ask a professional as I am 100% not that haha
it’s just what I was told 💗

@Changingplace I am in the UK. I had initial bloods done with GP and have now been referred to NHS fertility clinic for next steps as no issues shown with bloods. I’ve been told it will be around 45 weeks until they can see me, so went private in the meantime, but have stayed on the list too.
I mean I’m waiting at least 3 more months of trying before going ahead with private IVF xx

@sjxoxo thanks, haven’t been using preseed but have ordered some now based on recommendations here (discounted on Amazon Prime today btw!).
I know it doesn’t sound it based on this thread but I’ve honestly been super chilled about it - just now that 2 years have drifted by I want to know we’ve done everything we can xx

@HopefulElle I watched this video when TTC, this couple were going to go to IVF too. I took the vitamins they recommended and did fall pregnant again after loss, could just be a total coincidence but helped me to feel like I was doing something! I’d tried seven seas and preseed but neither worked for me xx

I recommend pregnacare, OP. I tried for my second for years and finally got pregnant when I was taking it.

I am 36 and just conceived 2nd DC. I would recommend the Sperm Meets Egg Plan, worked the first month we tried it and also the clear blue fertility monitor (Amazon) again worked first month we tried that. Good luck xx

I swear what worked for me was not going to the loo after sex - stay lying down.

As well as the OPK tests, I took my temperature before getting out of bed in the mornings. The increase in Basal Temperature indicates ovulation. I also used sperm friendly lube. I fell pregnant that month.