2023 TTC 35+ Part 4

[VixFromThe6ix]

New thread, ladies!!!!

Hope you can all find it.

Feel free to tag others to continue the conversation.

@CaffeineAndCrochet really sorry to hear. Hope you get your BFP soon. I suspect it will be a long ride for me too (slightly dodgy hormones, chronic illness "older").

Have you had any testing yet?

By tests I mean... fertility investigations etc (been a long day at work). I had a scan and hormone tests before I even started...not sure whether that was a good move or not because now I have it in my head that it's going to take a while...

Thanks @Orlahoping - we just started testing. Had 21 day bloods last week and whenever AF arrives, will have another set of bloods done. DH also had a SA and we're waiting on results for that.

@CaffeineAndCrochet best of luck with it all. I know we're often hold that 8 months isn't long in the scheme of things but I am sure it must feel it 💐

@CaffeineAndCrochet I was so naive too. I'm in TWW for cycle 8 and it is stressful that it's taking so long.

Hope everyone is ok this morning. I think I always knew it would take a long time for us, but it is hard. I don't mind this point in the cycle though- period just finishing, so got over the disappointment, but not yet at the stage of DTD and feeling like every evening that's what we need to do!

If it's helpful to anyone I just ordered vitamins from Holland and Barrett - you can subscribe and save which makes the second month cheaper. You can alternatively get some money off if you install the app - 20% or use the code QUICK for 7% off. I sound like a sales person but just the only offer I found. You can cancel the subscription anytime it looks like so even if just get 2 months worth it's cheaper than Amazon. Anyone else not buy these things in person in a shop in case of bumping into someone you know?!

@Pineappleapple Yes, me too! Really don’t want to bump into a neighbour or someone from work when buying vitamins that say conception all over them ! What did you go for at Holland and B? I like the post-period time as well, it’s like taking stock for the cycle and getting things ready. I’ve heard it called ‘spring’ (then ovulation is summer, TWW is autumn and period is winter).

Ive had a unpredictable cycle (4) so far. Currently CD16 and waiting for ovulation. Periods are irregular and so far I have ovulated on CD 11-16 so it’s especially late this month. Might be due to my reaction to methylfolate a couple of weeks ago which made me go a bit nuts for a while!!

@Pineappleapple and @CurlyWurly1991 totally get the shop fear! I was buying opks in the boots near work the other day and saw a colleague and had to dump them in the toothpaste! I get vitamin B complex and COQ10 and I like that they are from the boots “energy” range so I can say that’s why I’m taking them.

Im on CD18 today which I think is 1 or 2 dpo but then weirdly got what I think is EWCM today?! I had a peak opk on Saturday…is this possible? I’ve often wondered if I release more than 1 egg as have a lot of non ID twins in the family including my siblings, but are they released simultaneously does anyone know?

Hi there!

Would you mind if I join?
I'm 39 and trying to impatiently conceive child #1. For the past 7 months I've had the joy of looking at negative pregnancy tests- blue ones, pink ones, digital ones and the best one of them all.... the monthly red one. On reflection I should have kept the old tests and made a fancy piece of modern art and titled it: Negativity.
Anyway it would be nice to chat and about the highs and lows of this wacky races style journey.... I'm now off to eat a grapefruit, drink my proceive max and book an acupuncture appointment in the hope that next month I'll be greeted by 2 lines instead of my usual one. Have a great day ladies 🙂

Not sure if I've ovulated or not, as not properly using OPKs yet, and my apple watch isn't showing any significant temp spikes this month. I had EWCM on CD 11-12.
I'm now CD17 and since yesterday noticed mild AF like cramps, and sore boobs. After over 10 years on the pill it's weird getting used to normal hormones, I never experienced anything when on it so now getting sore boobs, cramps, CM it all feels quite strange!
Might try OPKs in a month or two if no luck, as wonder if I'm even ovulating at all yet.

Hello to all the newbies! This is cycle six for me TTC #1 and I’m currently 3dpo!

For what it’s worth, I would highly recommend OPKs for tracking ovulation I was just using cheapies off Amazon which I was understanding pretty well but this cycle I also got a box of clear blue digital and decided to use those as well as I approached ovulation (3 or so days before) As it turned out I ovulated two days earlier than apps predicted and clear blue confirmed this so I’m pretty sure we caught it! And I only used 3 clear blue tests so the box should last me another few cycles (if you’re worried about cost)

I track symptoms too but I actually don’t get that much just as I don’t get much for my period (other than a bit of spotting since having coil removed) basically OPKs take the guess work out of it all!

Sending baby dust to all ✨✨✨

Hi to all new people! @ThesisthenaViva and @MrsBP15 are you considering fertility testing at this stage? You're entitled to it after 6 months xx not that I'm saying anything is wrong. It took me 16 months to conceive 1st time - was 32 when I started. Mmc then took another 6 months post miscarriage to conceive my son. I'm trying for no 2 now and tbh I've lost track how long it's been but at least 11 months I think... I know I'm ovulating. Regular cycles, I know I had my boy so am capable of carrying a baby, but for some reason it takes aaaaages. I'm feeling quietly hopeful rn but I only got my positive opk yesterday. Dtd an hour later. Previously dtd 48 hours earlier and am going to have another go tomorrow. My husband has historically low end of normal sperm rates so I figure waiting 48 hours best. I also have this superstitious belief about how I personally need to get pregnant. Both prior pregnancies were the only months we dtd only 3x in the month - days 12, 14, and 16. If I can coax dh tomorrow then this month will be the first month we repeat the pattern. If it doesn't work then I'm buying the proceive max!

It's weird how we get so emotionally thrown about in this thing - just yesterday I was convinced i might not be ovulating since I haven't bothered testing previous months. Sure enough I did ovulate as my regular cycle would suggest (I know I need to do bbt to confirm but I trust the result based on my cycles and cm). It's a complete mind the whole thing!

Babydust to all xxx

Am I right that best time to dtd is immediately on positive opk?? What is the science?? The test says you will ovulate 24-48 hours later and I read that if you have sex 1 day before ovulating it's optimum...

From what I'm aware, you're fertile approx 5 days before ovulation & one day after so you have a bigger window then you think.
We tend to dtd 2/3 days before ovulation and then again on the day of ovulation. I fell pregnant on our 4th cycle last month but sadly miscarried so starting over now x

@MOGMOGMOG85 sorry to hear about your mmc. Wishing you luck for this cycle.
In regards to testing- we've done everything besides me having HSG. Due to my age, I waited 3 months and then went ahead with all the tests. I had a CP in May but since then nada. I know it is going to happen, but I'm just impatient and want it now.

@MOGMOGMOG85 a lot of information out there encourages dtd on day of positive OPK and day after. However also a lot of articles to support that in fact the 3 days prior to the positive OPK may be the most fertile as sperm could then be waiting in tubes when egg bounces it’s way down there eventually after the positive test. I would aim for dtd every other day in several days lead up to predicted OPK then day of and day after positive test 👍🏻 should cover all bases

@MOGMOGMOG85 yep I’ve booked in day 21 test and another blood test booked for start of cycle though I’m not sure what this for. But doctor has asked for it so I’m going with it! Will also have a pelvic scan as I’ve had a couple of cysts in the past and have possible/suspected endometriosis. Will get husband to book in sperm analysis too. This is the first cycle we’ve really gone for it though so I’m not too worried at this stage though understand it’s important to get the ball rolling. This cycle we did SMEP, used pre seed and used Clear blue for tracking as well as OPKs and I’m pretty sure we caught ovulation.

In terms of DTD and ovulation I would recommend SPEM. Not that I’ve had success with it yet but it was easy to follow and is clear about when to DTD for optimising ovulation. You need to be taking ovulation tests in order to do it though I think?

If we don’t have success fairly soon I will probably have laparoscopy done privately to find out whether or not I have endo and to deal with that. V lucky I have the option to go private if I need to as we’ve been saving for a while now.

@CurlyWurly1991 I went for the proveive max a few of us had chatted about on the thread. Can't harm!
@Ifyouknowyouknowyouknow that's good about the energy vitamins!.

I would definitely recommend an ovulation pee on stick thing (can't think what they are called), whichever you use it does make it much simpler)

Hi everyone,

Looking for some advice/guidance please...

I am currently 4dpo of cycle 5 TTC #1. This weekend I am going to my husband's sister's wedding and am going to ask the age old question about whether or not to drink during TWW. I'll be 6-8dpo whilst there. I've seen stuff online to say it's pretty ok because during this time you aren't technically pregnant so nothing has formed enough for you to pass anything on. This sounds right to me but I just wanted to check what others thought?

The other thing is they have booked a spa for the day on Sunday. Now the idea of going into a sauna fills me with absolute horror anyway so no danger of that but I'm wondering about hot tubs/jacuzzis? Although I am slightly trying to get my head around being a in a hot tub with my in laws....

As always, any/all thoughts very welcome. I can't lie, I am somewhat looking forward to potentially having a few drinks. I've been trying to be really good the last few months so any excuse to sink an Aperol Spritz!!

@MrsBP15 my thoughts would be that drinking (in moderation) is fine as if you have conceived the baby doesn’t yet have a placenta so wouldn’t absorb any alcohol from your blood.

However I’d probably give a very hot hot tub a miss in case the high temperatures interfered with implantation. Not based on any science mind you!

@MrsBP15 If it were myself, I would have 1 or 2 aperol and then avoid the hot tub or only get in for 5 mins or so then say you feel hot and want to get out. Basically raising your core body temperature around time of implantation I would avoid. The alcohol will have no way of entering a baby as there is no circulation connection between you and a developing fetus so early anyway. I wouldn’t have loads of alcohol as you don’t want to cause lots of general body inflammation around implantation time. Not all of this is based on science, just my gut feeling/opinion! Xx

Thank you @Ifyouknowyouknowyouknow and @Eirlys1986

I think I'll have a few drinks on Saturday (day of the wedding) and then not drink alcohol the rest of the time. I might just avoid the hot tub or just sit on the edge and dangle my feet in for 5/10 mins rather than fully submerging. Fortunately it is a very well known fact that I HATE the heat so I have a good excuse there!! I'm quite looking forward to it all as it will be very welcome distraction from the dreaded TWW, for a few days at least...

@MrsBP15 , it does sound great! Have a wonderful time 😊 🥂 🫧

@MrsBP15 that's a brilliant excuse that everyone knows you hate the heat, I was thinking how could you get out of that part!