2023 TTC 35+ Part 3

[VixFromThe6ix]

New thread!!!

The other one filled in so quickly. I'm happy that many of you are finding this space supportive and helpful.

Agegap - those comments are just the worst, honestly I have no idea why people would say those things. I've gone home and cried after some comments. I told a few people when it was really tough first time round. Not this time though I do have a couple of helpful friends I could tell

@AgeGapBbe sorry about your DSIS comments, no need to say anything like that! Sadly some people just breeze through having children and don't understand that for others of us it's just not that easy at all.

Family and a couple of close friends know we're trying again but thankfully haven't been asking how it's going or anything like that, I'd lose my rag if they did.

@AgeGapBbe it's difficult isn't it. My parents and BF know. My mum means well but makes comments like she got pregnant in two months so I should too, hence pointing out we've been 'trying' trying for 6 months and not using protection for almost 2 years!

I'm in the TWW. Not sure how far as my signs all disagree with each others. Ah! I'm feeling quite neutral this month. If it doesn't work will speak to GP.

Sorry I didn't realise there was a new thread! Just found you all. Hope everyone is okay. Ive been a bit awol because we've had house guests, trips, lots of work, and some business travel. I'm 5dpo and nothing to report, just in the waiting phase....

there are a couple of friends I will probably talk to, just feels like this big secret between me and DH at the moment. Need to avoid DC finding out, she is very canny and May guess anyway.
I think my main issue is with being asked how it’s all going, if people know, or having a MC and having to explain it all. I think family and friends would be surprised too due to the age of my first child (9). Lots of questions in the first 3 years then nothing.
im away from my bbt thermometer and opks and it’s quite nice to think about something else for a couple of days.

@CurlyWurly1991 The three people I've told have been specifically told not to ask! Completely understand.

@AgeGapBbe that must be hard hearing that from your mum, it is quite insensitive, it just doesn't happen that fast for most people.

@CurlyWurly1991 it is a tricky one. We've told family quite early on both times but having had a mmc second time round it was so hard having to then tell people about it. When it happens again for us we're only telling parents and leaving it as long as we can but knowing they'll be there to support us if the worst happens.

I'm possibly 6dpo I think. My peak was Thursday last week so not sure if that meant ovulation was Friday. My cycle was shorter last month than previous ones so not really sure when AF will be due.

@Un7breakable telling them not to ask is a really good idea. I don’t think people get it at all. Well meaning or thoughtless.

I’m puzzled. I’m CD8. First month on Boots OPKs, had a darker line yesterday morning, but not equal or stronger to the control, assumed that it would be darker today but it’s paler again and this evening the same. I’ve had cramping, EW CM but also some fresh red spotting today too.

I don’t know if I ovulated early yesterday and missed it, if my period is having a drawn out finish (it had stopped, then had brownish discharge yesterday) or if my body has just gone a little crackers. Will DTD tonight just in case. So weird. But also nice to have a place where I can talk about such things. So sorry if TMI.

Lots of EWCM today. No line even registering on the OPK. 🤷🏼‍♀️

@Bumblebee413 full disclaimer I am rubbish at opks, but if you see ewcm keep going! This month I did the Boots cheapy opks and I ran out before I got a darker than control line. However I had ewcm for more than seven days, and for the first five days I didn't even have a hint of a line. So we just have sex now whenever I see ewcm

@Bumblebee413 i have never had a positive on an OPK. Definitely ovulated the month I used them TTC #1 because I have a 9 year old to prove it, but they never registered positive. This month a dark line (but not as dark as control) on cd8 then negative for weeks despite twice daily testing. I think I will chuck them out and go with the EWCM only.
lots of EWCM is a great sign btw!!

Yay!! I love to have an ovulation twin. This journey is better shared that's for sure. Today is 4dpo. How early should we test?? 😂😂
I'm not getting any notifications anymore from when someone mentions me so I'm sorry for getting back to you late.
My husband is on TRT... testosterone replacement therapy. He gets a shot every two weeks.
We definitely see a change in his libido. And second test showed that levels of testosterone are rising but are not where they should be yet. So he is still on shots.
His doctor said that the dose is quite low and it shouldn't affect trying to conceive but he will be taking a blood test to see hormone levels and see if maybe we need to adjust the dosage and take it once a month instead.
Personally it makes me worried that someone that young (He's turning 35) has this issue as I read it can be a cause of prostate issues so it's worrying to me. I hope next test result shows improvements.
He also is taking ashwaganda (sp). Which is somehow connected to sperm production.
My concern is that these shots are like a bandaid. (It wears out by day 13 basically) This country doesn't want to heal the actual problem, they rather you rely on vaccines and medicine for the rest of your life.
Anyways, sorry for the long winded response. 😂
What did they advice your hubby??

@Pineappleapple so sorry about your bloods results :( hope your hubby will be there to support you when you finally have a moment to process. What made you take the test? Fingers crossed for your next cycle to be successful

@AgeGapBbe it's so hard to keep to yourself when sometimes you just want someone to hear you out. I'm helps to have these wonderful women who can be that for us here. I also couldn't tell anyone first time around. My mom found out after the birth of my son all the struggles I had and felt very guilty. My husbands family still don't know anything. And no one knows we are trying again. I just rather not have anyone ask me about this. It's really become quite a sensitive topic for me.... Feel free to share anything that's on your mind, hope we can be that support system for you. 💕

Thank you @VixFromThe6ix for this thread. It’s been lovely being part of this group of amazing ladies.

Thank you @A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 and @CurlyWurly1991, that’s actually really lovely to hear, thank you! Really thought I actually had an idea of what my body was up to for once, but the tests just didn’t seem to correlate at all.

happy weekend all.
gah, I had a few days away from temping and took it today - still showing no temp shift. Looks like I had the EWCM around cd 20 but may not have ovulated (yet). CD 24 today and feeling a bit ‘periody’. I’ve had very irregular cycles for at least a year now and been cleared by GP with ultrasound etc. Lots of spotting throughout periods, put down to nearing perimenopause. I’m almost 37. Can anyone relate?

@CurlyWurly1991 fingers crossed its not too late for you this cycle and isn't your period on its way. Never easy with irregular cycles. Mine are mostly 28 days but the last one was 25 so no idea how long this one will be. I'm 37 in a few months so know the feeling of time feeling against you.

Hey everyone! I'm also 37 @CurlyWurly1991 but I haven't experienced spotting. Excuse my ignorance but if that's caused by low progesterone, is that something that drops during perimenopause? I wonder if there's something you can take to help with that if so? Maybe mention it to the GP?

@RoseH36 I only learnt today that despite my cycle length varying slightly, my luteal phase is always 13 days! Is yours similar?

I'm due my period tomorrow and then the cycle with start again - had some horrible dull period aches the past few days!

yes, as far as I know your luteal phase length is fairly set (mine is 12 days).
thanks - hoping I still have ov to come. I’m on agnus castus (vitex) which may have further messed up my cycle this month.

Took a pregnancy test today, negative, which wasn't unexpected. Period due today but it was later than expected last month.
Bumble bee no such thing as tmi on this thread. I've no idea but glad others have given some advice.
@VixFromThe6ix we've been trying a while, so blood tests are first thing GP suggests I think. Both have suggested no ovulation but the first wasn't on the right day, this one we will see as no period yet. App says period due today but I went for period due Tues (so blood test last Tuesday). It's all a bit tiring really!

@CurlyWurly1991 I'm a bit younger but have spotting which is being investigated. My worse fear is it's menopause as my amh was slightly low and my fsh was higher than it should be. I'm trying not to think about it. Hoping it's a progesterone or prolactin issue (also high).

@Un7breakable sorry to hear that, it does cause a lot of stress and worry. My GP wasn’t interested in investigating further once any sinister cause was ruled out. Had the FSH, LH, Estradiol and prolactin test and no further action needed, although was not taken on a particular cycle day so not sure how useful that is. I could go back to the GP as I wasn’t TTC at the time, but think they would say try for 6m first, isn’t that the rule?
I went to a medical herbalist to try and regulate my cycles and it seems one of the side effects of the herbal concoction is to decide we absolutely must have another baby asap! It clearly did something positive to my hormones but my cycle is still very mixed up with heavy spotting/ light bleeding on cd 12-14 and no sign of ov… over the past year I’ve had cycles between 12 and 58 days, just wish I had been bbt charting throughout so I had more information about what was actually going on.

@CurlyWurly1991 sorry to hear that. I got my tests done via hertility on day 3. Im hoping once I see the consultant they'll talk me down.

Have you done a preg test?

@Un7breakable no not yet as don’t have a temp shift showing on my bbt chart, so think more likely I haven’t ovulated yet despite multiple patches of fertile cm.
might try hertility once we have been trying a few months, thanks. Hope all goes ok with the consultant, when is the appointment?

@LeopardLover yes mine has been around the same time each cycle too. Fingers crossed your period doesn't arrive. I seem to recall still getting dull cramps despite being pregnant.

@Pineappleapple Fingers crossed, I have heard of people still testing negative for quite some time even being overdue.

I'm not sure if I've got the ever so slightest cramping starting today or not. Keep telling myself it's not over 'till it's over though so trying to remain hopeful.

Bit upset today. Looks like I might not of ovulated this month. Had lots of EWCM, cervix open, positive opks but FF has not confirmed ovulation and my temp has dropped. I usually ovulate the day after a positive opk and see a rise until day 3 or 4 .

I've attached my chart incase any of you are experts.