2023 TTC 35+ Part 2

[VixFromThe6ix]

Hi ladies,
This is a new thread as we maxed the other one. I tagged everyone that posted in the last 12 pages. If I'm missing someone, please tag them in the comments.
@Eirlys1986
@Muriel84
@Un7breakable
@vitahelp
@Mirla
@TheFanciestPants
@Mummyme87
@FiddleLeaf
@Anna531
@Poppy708
@Golaz
@LeopardLover
@Floralsandsmiles
@Bumblebee413
@TrudyProud
@13Bastards
@DinkyGT
@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7
@TTCnumberfour
@Cirque1
@39starstartry
@Freya8
@Angelsrose
@TheBirdintheCave
@AgeGapBbe
@BengalMama
@BB2023

@Floralsandsmiles you can get metformin from your GP. It is officially an “off licence” use of the medication for PCOS as it’s a diabetic medication but it certainly has evidence to show it can stimulate fertility in PCOS. I prescribe it for patients with PCOS for symptom control but personally would have no problem doing it from a fertility perspective. Your pre existing children would not affect your eligibility for metformin from the GP whatsoever. Some GP do sometimes want a gynaecologist to have seen a patient and recommend metformin before they will issue, I would suggest finding an established female GP at your practice- particularly if there is one who lists women’s health as an interest on the practice website and try to get a call with them perhaps ?

Thank you so much for this @Eirlys1986 , I will mention it when I speak to my GP again, I'm due to in a few weeks as I have to do repeat bloods to see if recent changes have changed the testosterone levels xxx

@LeopardLover impressed with your commitment!
@SarahShorty it is incredibly hard. A good cry is needed isn't it, good to let it out.
We have DTD well this month, will see what comes of it. Clear blue says ovulation has happened a few days back, not seen a peak at all on easy at home but first month using. So not sure if I should relax now or keep DTD! Will see if anything comes of easy at home tests next couple of days

@Muriel84 so glad you got positive news.

@Muriel84 This sounds really positive! And it's great you'll have another scan in 2 weeks for reassurance 😊 The Algarve is dreamy. Absolutely love it there, I want to go back already - definitely recommend it.

@Eirlys1986 Haha thank you, I need all those unicorn tears 😉🦄 I don't feel like this is our cycle, but I'm not too disheartened as this is just our first proper cycle. Secretly weeing on OPKs on holiday (using a bottle lid as a cup) was really tough haha. I might have to do the same at work though so good practice 😉

@Pineappleapple Thank you 😉 So interesting Clear Blue is different? I did hear the old fashioned ones are better for detecting the surges but who knows. I have my digital one ready to use from June. It's so expensive I'm just limiting it until when I feel really serious 🤣 I'd love an April / May baby. But I know things don't happen like that - it's a pipe dream!

@Floralsandsmiles I know the waiting game is super tough so completely understand wanting to crack on. I suggested a private gynae as they may be a bit cheaper than a clinic and give more objective advice (I have heard IVF clinics can be very commercial with upselling!).
But @Eirlys1986 is 100% right that if you can find a helpful GP (which I bet she is!), that's even better! 🥰

@Floralsandsmiles not sure of your full story as haven't read back but you can be referred to a fertility clinic even if you have a baby already. That's the position we are in. Won't qualify for IVF but they will do tests etc I believe. Don't know if that helps

Thank you @TheFanciestPants , I will speak to the GP and see what she says. I may get lucky!..
I may also look into egg sharing as that's a fraction of the cost for IVF. However they may not accept me as I'm a month off of 36. Criteria is 35 and under xxx

Really @Pineappleapple ? I was told that they can't refer us to fertility by the GP xx

@Floralsandsmiles OH has just gone for sperm test and I have had a blood test. Referral for fertility clinic done.
We have a complicated history I won't go into here, took a long time to have our toddler. That does impact on our referral but a straight no because you have a baby already doesn't sound quite right. Others will be able to advise better.

Thank you @Pineappleapple , I will look into this xxx

@TheFanciestPants thank you! Yup, this will be my second FET. I'm nowhere near as nervous this time as I know what to expect, which is very helpful. Just going through the motions, so to speak.

@Floralsandsmiles …@Pineappleapple is completely correct, you will not qualify for funding for ivf but everyone is allowed to be referred to fertility clinic for investigations and some treatments regardless of their “status”. So for example, if GP couldn’t /wouldn’t prescribe the metformin then a fertility clinic would assess and prescribe metformin and clomifene if they felt your PCOS /problems with ovulation were contributing to things. When we monitor with OPK all we get is the chemical LH surge which occurs prior to ovulation, it doesn’t guarantee that ovulation actually occurred. What looks at whether a “successful” ovulation happened is the day 21 progesterone level or equivalent. Hope that helps

Ps @Floralsandsmiles also, quite often fertility clinic with out ladies on levothyroxine thyroid hormones too when ttc. Even if their official thyroid hormone results are within “normal” range on lab results as a part of initial fertility testing, the fertility doctors have a different range they consider to be optimal so will prescribe when ttc to push women into this optimal range often. This can also reduce MC chances too which can occur more with suboptimal thyroid levels

*out =put

Thank you @Eirlys1986 😊 I did do the 21 day test and the gp said all was normal, so I would say that meant I ovulated? But the call was rushed and I forgot to ask.. xxx

Yes @Floralsandsmiles if day 21 progesterone is over 30 it means you ovulated 👍🏻

Hi ladies. Hope it’s ok to join too? I’m 35 (36 next month) and had a mmc last spring and been trying with no luck since. All fertility tests have been normal, which is good. I am officially trying to forget I’m in the early bit of 2ww as had several pregnancy announcements this month and it’s been hard.

@Pineappleapple I completely missed your message, sorry. A good cry from time to time helps immensely.

@Annapolis35 Welcome! So sorry to hear about the mmc, you’re not alone in here. Pregnancy announcements can be really tough, I know. Fingers crossed this 2ww ends positively for you xx

@Annapolis35 welcome! It's so tough just waiting isn't it? I am 35 and 36 in a few months so similiar age. I am sorry for your loss, I had a mc at 6 weeks at the end of Feb and was so hopeful for the uptick in fertility but obvs didn't ring true in my case.
It's great that all your tests are good. My GP told us when our tests were good to not worry as we still have time, but I am so fed up of waiting. Especially as when you say everyone seems to be pregnant or be moaning about their small child!

Thank you ladies for your kindness and happy to be joining you on this arse of a journey @JumbleJo.

Sorry to hear of your mc too @TheFanciestPants it’s so difficult and glad all your tests were fine too. As you say it’s just waiting and it’ll be a matter of time. i did find knowing there was no underlying problem a massive relief. the “uptick in fertility” thing wasn’t true for me too so don’t worry about that, it just put more pressure on myself. It’s clearly not the case for everyone as miscarriages are traumatic and has a big toll on your body and mind. It’s sooo frustrating when others seem to get preg immediately following miscarriages though!

Hi ladies,
I took a little time out after the start of this thread to get some head space so I hope you'll have me back. 13dpo today, did a clear blue yesterday but was a BFN so my hopes aren't high. Away on hols atm lying by the pool so I'll be distracted if it's bad news in the next few days. On a positive though Dr called today my blood tests confirmed ovulation which is a huge relief- my last few were inconclusive and dp has his sperm check when we get home. So at least things are moving. I hope you're all keeping well. I'm going to lie at my length today and read back from the start of the thread 😊

Hi @Anna531 taking some headspace time completely understandable! Enjoy lying by the pool and trawling through all our ups and downs and chats about unicorn tears 🦄 xx

@Eirlys1986 can I ask what counts as TTC for GPs? Only been like tracking BBT and OPKs since start of the year but haven't used contraception since before that. When they originally asked how long I thought they meant like tracking but starting to think I've got it wrong.