2023 TTC 35+ Part 4

[VixFromThe6ix]

New thread, ladies!!!!

Hope you can all find it.

Feel free to tag others to continue the conversation.

Just read some interesting bits and bobs in here about intercourse timing and also encouraging men to (ahem) empty out there sperm prior to conception attempts to get rid of any dusty old guys that may have built up and affect conception! Happy reading to anyone else interested!

https://www.fertilityweek.org.nz/archive/fertility-week-2018/fertility-topics/timing/#:~:text=The%20day%20before%20the%20LH,before%20having%20sex%20for%20conception.

I’m just here to say that I enjoyed emptying out and dusty old men.

*Guys. Sorry!

😂 @Bumblebee413 …legend

@MOGMOGMOG85 congrats on the job!! And hope your test tomorrow provides some much needed clarity! 🤞🏻💕

@LeopardLover been thinking of you today. Hope you're ok. 💕

@Eirlys1986 ooh thanks - will have a read! Love some geeky info! And hahaha to the dusty old guys. We DTD a few days before fertile week and this was my primary thought... Clear him out so he makes some good fresh stuff 😂😂😂

Thank-you all soooo much for the words of support and encouragement. It literally made me feel so much better. Sometimes I tend to get into my head and create the worst case scenario. Which is obviously like a form of emotional self harm. So sometimes I need to hear that there are options. Again, thank you,thank you, thank you!!!

We have a call with our fertility doctor next tuesday. I hope she can shed some light. Hubby is dropping off his swimmers tomorrow for an analysis.

And as for the age gap.... Nothing in my life ever played out how I hoped, or rather when I hoped, so not getting my ideal age gap won't be much of a disappointment lol I'd take that second baby no matter the gap at this point. 😊

@MOGMOGMOG85 congratulations on the new job!!! Toxic work environment is unnecessary added stress which is the last thing you need when TTC. And good luck with testing tomorrow

Thanks everyone - bfn over here :( starting to think my husbands sperm (which was borderline 5 years ago) may not be working so well! Any supplements I could buy him?? Xx

Morning ladies, hope everyone is ok 🤍
I am 6/7 dpo and have had period type pains through the night and this morning, does anyone know if this is any kind of good sign? Trying my best to not symptom spot and early test this cycle as I’ve mentioned but it’s easier said than done & I’m really struggling to be chilled 😂x

Dusty old guys hehe! That's a good point though, we tend to DTD as much as we can around the right time but don't bother much before.
@MOGMOGMOG85 you should be able to be referred to fertility clinic if been trying for 'long enough' even if already have a child. Just not eligible for IVF. Think it was you asking.

@H0pefull maybe implantation cramping? It would be the right timing.

I’m sorry @MOGMOGMOG85. Not out yet though- still early this cycle x

@H0pefull maybe implantation, fingers crossed. So hard not to symptom spot. I’m already attributing great things to my sudden acid reflux at 3dpo 😂
@MOGMOGMOG85 sorry about bfn, there’s still hope though, mine didn’t turn positive till bang on 14dpo with son and the day before was completely negative. Proceive max for men my partner took, it’s expensive though but maybe worth a look

Couple of bits from my fertility appointment that may help others. I mentioned I have bad period pain and take both ibuprofen and paracetamol - she recommended not taking ibuprofen for other types of pain as it thins blood and obviously we want good thick blood for womb lining during the right times - doesn't matter by the time it's period pain. Never knew that.
The nurse suggested that OH sperm is ok mainly, but said we could check out impryl as that can improve mobility. You can only get it from fertility family. We're not convinced though and it's £40 per month. OH is more sciency than me and did some reading and he's not convinced. Wasn't a proper recommendation from the nurse more just you may want to have a look so doesn't sound actually NHS recommended.
That's as far as we got really as they wouldn't do any tests as i haven't finished breastfeeding - they want 3 months since you finished as they say it will skew results. I'm not totally convinced - NHS can be a bit uninformed on breastfeeding, but we have finished all the same as periods all over the place and this may help regulate them. We had started to stop feeding anyway so prompted us to do this.
Not sure if that helps anyone but just in case.

Also this may be helpful. We went to see the GP after about 7 months of trying (over 36) and they were happy to refer.

NHS website -

See your GP if you have not conceived after a year of trying.
You should see a GP sooner if:

• you are female and are aged 36 or over – the decline in fertility speeds up when reaching your mid-30s
• have any other reason to be concerned about your fertility, for example, if you've had treatment for cancer or you think you might have had a sexually transmitted infection (STI)

Fertility tests can take time and female fertility decreases with age, so it's best to make an appointment early.

Hey girls sorry i was a long time lurker on the other thread before it filled. I was hoping for your help. Anyone get results of a 21 day progestrone test? Dr confirmed i did ovulate at a reading of 58? I googled n think thats ok? Also hubby got sperm analysis done said one thing was slightly under was morphology is there any real way of fixing that? Sorry its jus af came yest of wat was my 5th cycle and to be honest the anxiety is consuming me ttc i am a wreck i jus turned 38 too and aware this may not even happen for us and cant shake this feeling xxx

Hi Freya, it's easy to say not to panic but it sounds early days if cycle 5. Good that the test showed ovulation for you. OH's sperm test showed lower than normal.morphology but then there were more than the usual amount so that sounded ok really. The vitamins the lady said I could look into are above, but as I say I'm not convinced. It's hard not to panic isn't it.

@Pineappleapple that ibuprofen thing makes a lot of sense, and now I'm raging with myself as I've taken loads in the last week as have really bad ov pain🥴 (putting it down to my CP last cycle) I always knew not to take it pregnant but never considered it might be a factor when ttc. So if it doesn't happen for me this month I'll be sure to take only paracetamol in fertile window next month! I'm on ov day today so a long tww ahead 😭

@Pineappleapple awh thank u for gettin back to me! Im in an awful tizzy as i fell with my daughter instantly and this time round im near sick with worry ive left it too late! Ive had 2 chemicals in 3 cycles too adding to my stress and pretty sure stress aint a great thing either wen ttc!! Its really jus that overwhelming feelin of can i keep continuing this whirlwind of emotions how do you all keep so strong? I think its the lack of control i hav xx

@Sez281 I thought you could take it while pregnant, will worry about that if and when it happens! Think if it was a really big deal it would be better known about so maybe more think of it as a little tweak, don't beat yourself up. 2ww here too but only 2 attempts this time and probably not at the ideal times.
@Freya8 think you overestimate our being strong! I have never had a miscarriage or chemical pregnancy that must be so hard.

@Pineappleapple you never know, I've had 2 pregnancies this year (unfortunately 1 ended in MMC in March and last then cycle CP) but both times we only managed to dtd twice in fertile window and neither in best timeframe of peak so it can definitely happen, fingers crossed for you 🤞

@H0pefull I had a day of cramping at 8dpo in my last pregnancy which I am absolutely sure was implantation. Everything crossed for you! I had mild crampy feelings myself last night (also 6dpo) but not enough to convince me of anything! Soooo hard not to symptom spot!!

Good afternoon everyone!

Sorry for the delayed response, thank you soooo much for all the love. 💕 Yesterday was such an emotional day, I still feel drained. The short version, is that I got to see baby. I was sobbing because I had accepted they had passed due to my pain (which got worse). They don't know why I've had the pain (cramping, lower back pain nerve pain through legs and buttocks), but my cervix was closed and they couldn't see any blood etc. It was a hard thing to do alone (everyone else had a partner) & just a sad environment... I got lucky but not everyone else waiting did. 💔

I've since called my local GP surgery (unfortunately I never get to talk to a GP, only a paramedic) & I haven't been happy with the outcome. Which is to just deal with the pain (now without cramps) and come back in a week if it doesn't stop. The midwife at the EPU was very cautious and wants me to go back if my pain doesn't stop by tomorrow, although my gut feeling is telling me this isn't related to baby.

The midwife suggested I take time off but we're so busy I can't leave everyone I the lurch. So I'm trying to focus but I'm uncomfortable and a bit all over the place 🙃 but I am relieved.

@VixFromThe6ix I'm glad you're feeling better! 💜

@MOGMOGMOG85 Congratulations on the job! Hurrah! Such wonderful news. And it's early days to test, I got a proper line at 13DPO.

Hope everyone else is keeping well! @Eirlys1986 I'd heard about clearing out those dusty guys before and usually tried to do that through as much DTD as possible, although we only managed to DTD once when I got pregnant so I guess sometimes the old guys work too 😅xx

Leopard lover so pleased you saw baby! That's amazing! And don't worry about work, honestly just focus on you, you would say the same to your colleagues mommy

Erm ignore the mummy bit! Think it recorded my toddler!