TTC No 6 at 37 and struggling

[killbill3]

Hi lovely mums,
I’m currently TTC baby number 6 and wondering if anyone else is in the same boat as me? I’m 37 and feeling a little conscious that time isn’t quite on my side. It seems to be taking longer this time around, and I’d really appreciate hearing from others in a similar situation. Any tips or experiences on conceiving naturally at this stage would be so helpful. 💕

It’s been months now and I still haven’t seen those two pink lines
I also get constant pelvic pain, painful periods, and lately I’ve been feeling so tired and drained all the time.
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I tried calling my GP to book an appointment, but I just couldn’t bring myself to say out loud that I’m struggling to conceive… it feels too heavy and personal.
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Has anyone else been through this? Everything I’m reading points to endometriosis, and I’m starting to worry that might be what’s going on.
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Any advice or shared experiences would really mean a lot 💛

@killbill3hi 🤍
Firstly I want to say how horrified I was to read some of the ugly comments you have received! Talk about women supporting women. I hope they are ashamed of themselves.
I'm so sorry you are still struggling. I'm here in solidarity. I'm 38 and we have been trying to concieve for a year now. Had 2 early miscarriages at the beginning of the year but nothing for 8 months. Already blessed with our gorgeous little boy, 2 years old.
Please please reach out to your GP and get some tests! They are there to help. How long have you been trying now? Xx

Thank you, @ChaE05
I’m so sorry for your losses. I’m really trying not to focus on any negative comments right now, need to keep my energy positive for conception.

Can I ask, what should I say to people when they make unhelpful remarks? And which tests can I request from my GP? I haven’t had the best experiences with GPs or hospitals during my two losses, and honestly, I don’t even know what to ask for or where to start getting check. Thanks

It’s possible to have severe fertility issues and have a large family - my friend has 5 dc all from IVF with some big gaps in between babies.

And I meant to say I'm so deeply sorry for your losses and the heartache you have been through. That is such alot to deal with.
Everyone is on their own journey. This forum is supposed to be here for support. I feel so sorry for anyone that is still struggling to concieve their first but I won't be made to feel guilty by anyone (especially a stranger) for wanting to add to my family. You were far too kind to those awful women, but I'm sure that says alot about you as a person 🩷
Just speak to your GP and explain you are struggling to concieve and also concerned about your cycle etc. Request a full blood panel.
You will also want your hormones tested. This is done I believe day 2-5 of your cycle. They test for LH, FSH and Estradiol. You will also want a progesterone test taken on 7dpo. This will test to see that you have ovulated. My GP also sent me for an internal scan and requested a semen analysis for my partner. Once this was all completed I was referred to fertility clinic and they gave me a HyCoSy to check my tubes. Start the ball rolling now. Nothing to be worried about. Also...chat gpt is amazing for finding out alot of info on testing etc! Just tell it how long you have been trying and it will guide you on next steps. GP should definitely investigate due to your age. Hope this helps 🥰

@PurpleChrayn @gottalottodo @Tipeetommeey as if none of you had the decency or the balls to come back and apologise to this lady. Adopted her late sisters children and just silence from you. Utter keyboard Karens. Shame on you.

This!! Shocking behaviour 😡

Hello 👋
sort of (complicated) TTC child number 8. For all the haters at the beginning of the thread, it’ll be pregnancy 14 and my and dh 1st child. Mixture of previous marriage and LAC, but they all live with us full time and sometimes I talk about some of them being LAC and sometimes I lump them in with the rest as I don’t like answering questions about it. I hope that’s ok with you 🙄
I’m 38 and feel like this is my last chance. After Christmas we will definitely not be TTC any more, it feels heartbreaking and heavy. Just wanted you to know, you aren’t alone (in your TTC or crazy mixed up family 😊)

Definitely reach out to your gp and get tests run. As above poster said, you can start with some blood tests and go from there.

O
If you dont mind me asking but what is LAC?

Looked after child. In our case SS aren’t involved, but only because they live with me. I have to inform SS if certain things happen. Everyone is happy and settled.

I agree it's nobody's right to judge.

However, this lady isn't trying to conceive her sixth baby. Two of them aren't hers in the biological sense. They are her sister's children and it's lovely that she's adopted them. However she didn't conceive her sister's children - has sister conceived those children.

I think it's a bit much to say she's trying to conceive a sixth baby. When actually it's only a fourth.

There was a massive drip feed there, as they call it, but the comments were still unacceptable from others.

Well, yes, fertility does start drying up in your late thirties. It doesn't mean it's impossible some people have their first in their forties. My mum did.

Possibly, it will just take longer but best of luck on your journey and it sounds as if you have a lovely family with lots of love to go round.

Hello lovely ladies,
To anyone who is trying to conceive or going through your own personal TTC journey, I just wanted to share a little bit of mine in case it helps someone else feel less alone.

I’ve had two late losses, and this year I decided to really look into my health and understand what might be happening. I had all my day-2 blood tests done across five cycles — everything came back normal. My thyroid is fine, all three swabs were clear, and my smear test was completely normal too.

My doctor has now referred me for a scan to check for fibroids, cysts or anything else that might be affecting my cycle. The wait time is around 8–12 weeks, so at the moment it’s just a matter of waiting.

What triggered all of this is that my cycles have suddenly shortened from 31 days to 26 days, and I’ve been having spotting in between, along with very severe pelvic pain. A couple of nights ago the pain was so intense it felt like something was being pushed out of my reproductive system. So naturally, I’ve been researching everything I can — hormones, prostaglandins, cycle changes — because something just doesn’t feel right.

I’ve tried calling the scan department a few times to check my place on the waiting list, but haven’t been able to get through. So for now, I’m reminding myself to be patient and take it one day at a time.

If you’re also trying to conceive, or dealing with confusing symptoms, please know you’re not alone. Normal blood tests and normal smears don’t always tell the whole story, and sometimes we have to keep pushing for answers.

Sending love and hope to every woman on this journey. 💛✨

Have you gotten day 21 bloods and tracked ovulation to make sure with now your shorter cycles that ovulation is occurring? Can you book private scans to check lining of uterus so you arnt waiting so long? How long have you been ttc now?

I had a private scan which showed everything was normal except for a retroverted uterus and some fluid around my left ovary. Can I take these results to my GP and request further fertility tests—such as an AMH test to check my egg reserve, an HSG to assess for blocked tubes, and a day-21 progesterone test for ovulation? Would my GP be able to refer me to a fertility clinic as well, or is it likely they may decline since I’m 37 and already have one biological child? What do you guys recommend? Anyone been in a similar boat? Thanks Z

I am about to use our last embryo to conceive number three. Infertility shouldn't mean you can't try for a big family.

Yes either your gp can run some basic fertility testing or they can refer you to a fertility specialist who will run an array of fertility tests and will advise if you need to step over to ivf or they can help with some medications.

Cannot understand anyone wanting so many children. My friend from a Catholic family was one of six and she said it wasn't a great experience growing up, none of the children got enough parental attention.

Thats not the case for most large families and luckily you dont need to understand it if its not for you so you dont bring anything to the conversation so no point commenting your unnecessary opinion which wasnt asked.

It’s not insensitive at all.

Better to read before judging. Only one of the children are biologically hers.

Lol yeah I really want a third for that reason.

@Redburnett
I am one of a large family (also Catholic if that is in any way relevant to you).
We had a wonderful childhood, my parents were attentive and thoughtful and involved with all of us. As adults we are all very close and enjoy each other's company.