2023 TTC 35+ Part 6

[VixFromThe6ix]

New thread as the other one ran out of space

Thank you @FigandHoney I know there’s no chance it’s pregnancy yet, just wondering about what is going on hormonally. I have the day 21 test next week so will see where progesterone is at. Hasn’t been tested before so am a bit nervous of what it will show. I guess progesterone is a relatively easy ‘fix’ though.
My understanding was that tender breasts are often a symptom of when oestrogen is high in the cycle, so around ovulation and again in the middle of the luteal phase (high oestrogen also causing the ‘luteal dip’ as it has a lowering effect on temperatures).
However I think breast pain can also result from big hormonal changes like just before a period when hormone levels plummet. I guess it’s just a general not very specific symptom that is just annoying and I would rather not have!!

On your temps, have you been temping at the same time everyday etc? I know it is very disheartening not to see the temp shift. Can you post your chart? Last cycle my temps stayed fairly low until about 4dpo. It is always a relief when they go up sufficiently to be sure that ovulation has occurred. At that point I stop temping, for my sanity!

@FigandHoney this is what I mean about my last cycle. Blue line is bbt and orange is resting heart rate (from Fitbit).

Thank you @CurlyWurly1991 . I use an ava bracelet for my temperatures. So it takes my temperature I think over a range of time when I am in deep sleep. Not entirely sure. Anyway it ensures an accurate temperature. So I am pretty certain it's correct.

Can I ask how you knew when you ovulated if your temp didn't rise until 4dpo. Did you have a positive opk?

I have attached my bbt chart.

On the breast front. Yes it's an annoying non specific symptom. I think your boobs can indeed hurt for a number of reasons, isually relate somehow to hormonal shifts.
Hopefully your test results will come in all clear. Although sometimes it can be a relief to have a clear answer with a clear fix, when things aren't happening. And progesterone does indeed seem like an easy fix.

I should note on my bbt chart I discarded 2 temperatures because those nights we had the radiators on all night and it was boiling hot in our house. And I think it affected my bbt

Trying to conceive number 3. But my last two were conceived in my 20s (at 26 and 29). We’ve been trying and tracking for a year now (14 cycles). I am feeling extremely infertile and defeated, especially as the age gap from my youngest would be 6 years now. I am technically in the 2 week wait now, but I don’t even imagine I might be pregnant any more.

@FigandHoney yes I had a positive OPK (0.97) and could just sense the difference from the light cramps, change in mood and energy etc. My cervical position also changed. Can never be completely sure though until af shows and the luteal phase length is as expected.
from your OPKs and temps I would expect o day to be today. Last cycle I ovulated two days after the positive OPK, I know sometimes it happens same day. It’s not always day after. Good luck, hope you get a nice shift tomorrow.

@Scercho sorry to hear that 😞 I was last pregnant in my 20s too, 10 years ago. If I’m successful TTC #2 there will be a massive age gap but I’m sure they all have their pros and cons. I know what you mean about becoming a bit jaded about it. I’m 6m in but periods are so all over the place it’s a bonus to even ovulate. Have you had any support from your GP?

@Scercho it can be so disheartening when TTC takes a while. Have you considered blood tests with your GP?

Thanks! I have had blood tests. Nothing came back abnormal, but I am changing my diet a bit. I am lucky (I guess), in that I have two kids. But I don't have much to throw at this third baby idea. Also, I had a preterm baby, and I am definitely not interested in lots of medical intervention. It brings back too many bad memories.

yeah, I suppose an age gap will not seem so bad if we actually can have another baby!

@Scercho that’s good that no major issues were identified on the blood tests. Has your other half had a sperm analysis too? We are at that stage at the moment.

Evening everyone... Update from me...

Have had quite an anxious few days as they called me after my last bloods and said it's likely ectopic. They then had me in for bloods again yesterday and thankfully (!!) the HCG has started coming down so bit less of an emergency than it could have been (had a sleepless night worrying about ruptures on Friday 😩). Anyway, I'm back in tomorrow for a scan, more bloods and a senior review. If the HCG is coming down still and coming down fast enough, they will likely just monitor. If it's still not quite looking how they want, I may still be given methotrexate to speed things along. What better way to spend my original due date?! You couldn't make it up could you. 😌

I'm doing ok. I think right now, the adrenaline of dealing with the ectopic diagnosis and just wanting to get through the practicalities has sort of paused dealing with the emotions. But I'm feeling pretty gutted and frustrated and just... Bleurgh. As I'm sure you can all imagine.

When I thought I was definitely looking at methotrexate (forced pause on TTC for at least 3 months) I decided to make peace with that and try to enjoy having a break from everything. I think regardless now, even if I don't have the drug, I will take a couple of months to focus on enjoying my family, enjoying Christmas, and trying to get in a better headspace. I've asked about some MH support and I'll have an appointment with the fertility consultant coming up too. Ticking clock is ever there - will be my 38th birthday two months today - but I think I need a pause for my own sanity at this point.

Hope everyone else is ok. Good luck to those in the tww!! Xx

Oh @SnookyPook please take care of yourself. I’m glad you asked for the MH support and I hope they provide something useful to you. A few months break, whether enforced by the medication or not, sounds like it could be helpful. I’m sorry you have been through so much xx

@SnookyPook I am so sorry to hear you are going through all this. Reaching out for MH support is an excellent idea. A few months break might just be what you need. Please do look after yourself ❤️❤️❤️

Hi everyone.
Please can I join? I turned 35 this week. Me and my husband have been trying since March 2022 🥲 just waiting for a hycosy appointment but it has all been very slow!

Ah @SnookyPook whilst I am really glad it looks like it's resolving itself without scary interventions, I am so sorry you lost this pregnancy.
You are amazing having the courage to ask for MH support. And I think a little break to recharge is just what you need.
I really hope that after you will come back to it and fall immediately with your sticky bean

Welcome to the thread @LucyLoopyLu . Hopefully you will fall before you get your appointment. And if not it does the trick. I hear that sometimes the flushing out helps people get pregnant. Are you ttc your first or second, third?

@CurlyWurly1991 Any tips on discerning the position of your cervix? I never really got the hang of it.

Good evening all
Who's pregnant now?!
Hoping you're all doing well...

@SnookyPook MH support is a wonderful idea. Sending love at this difficult time.

Welcome all newcomers @LucyLoopyLu @Scercho (sorry if I missed any others, I’ve been taking a week off this to chill and be by the sea which has been heavenly and so needed). 8DPO here and BFN sadly but still early days so trying to keep positive.

@SnookyPook what a rollercoaster of a few days. I’m so so sorry to hear that you’ve lost this pregnancy. You sound like you’re in good hands with the hospital and I hope they give you the support you need. Taking time out to enjoy Christmas and being with your friends sounds like a very good idea ❤️

Hi all. I'm now 12-13 dpo. I took a first response and I feel like I have line eyes. Are they known for evaporation lines? I've tried looking with DP who thinks it's like an indent on a covid. Not sure what to think. Wish i had waited another couple of days. Its probably not visible on camera it's so faint.

@Khanga27 hmm I couldn't see anything at first, but then when I moved my head about I think maybe I could see smthg very faint. It's grey and I am not sure it's in the right location. Ideally you will need to wait another 2 days and then hopefully it will be a clearer bfp. When is AF due?

@Cressie2 your time off sounds amazing. Hopefully ut did wonders and you will get a BFP soon.

Feeling really upset / disappointed/ dismayed this morning. My temp dropped even more. And it's now been over 48h hours since my positive opk. So I think I failed to ovulate this cycle and all the BDing was for nothing.
That or my ava bracelet is broken.

@FigandHoney yeah same as me then, it's so faint that I thought it was maybe an evaporation line, but it appeared within the timeframe and my understanding was evaporation lines appeared if you read outside the timeframe. I just wish I'd waited.

AF due Thursday according to my flo tracker, however its estimating based on my average cycle before my last pregnancy that ended in MMC, and I've only had one period since then. I'm 12dpo if my ovulation tests were accurate this cycle (I don't do temperature or anything like that as I think that would stress me too much).

I'm so sorry @SnookyPook , what a worrying few days you have had. Have been thinking of you over the weekend, sending you so much love. I'm glad you are reaching out for some MH support, it's so easy to let that slip during TTC & you definitely have to prioritise it. You've had such a lot to deal with, I hope you can get something sorted soon.
Glad to hear you have a senior review in place too, hopefully it gives you some ways forward if / when you feel ready to do so. We are all here for you xx

Thinking of you @SnookyPook