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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

TTC number 3 aged 42

392 replies

FiB83 · 18/02/2026 13:30

Hi

Not really sure what I'm looking for here but if nothing else I'll use this as a diary of my feelings etc. I joined a chat years ago for my first pregnancy and am still friends with some of those lovely ladies so hoping to find some people who are on their TTC journey and we can share experiences l.

As the title suggests I'm 42, I have two beautiful children aged 7 and 9, we decided to try for another baby a year or so again, I needed to lose some weight so did that although I'm still overweight according to my BMI but you know how it is... I'm fairly average at a size 14-16. I still have very regular cycles and don't believe I'm anywhere near the menopause yet....

Anyways, I'm 9dpo I think, I don't do opk or anything like that, tried one month but didn't enjoy feeling obsessed over it and it didn't work anyway..I feel I know my body quite well and am aware of the signs of when I'm ovulating if I am. With our first child it took a good 2 years with one chemical pregnancy in that time before.ewe actually got our baby. With our second child...well we thought about trying and then I was pregnant... Amazing how that happens isn't it!?

So here I am, 9dpo and with virtually no discharge at all. 2 days ago I had a huge amount of white cm that was abit stretchy. I've had a headache on and off and been soooo unbelievably emotional. This isn't normal for me but we are going through quite a bit with our youngest and other normal life events so may be that I suppose. I've had sore breasts and I swear they are bigger if that is even possible!.maybe just very slight cramps over the past couple of days but that maybe only.when I'm thinking about it...

Anyone else at this stage and fancy a buddy to compare notes? I'd love to chat.

OP posts:
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Original poster
FiB83 · 20/02/2026 08:04

FlapJackered · 20/02/2026 07:16

I do get I am a bit younger at 38 but my fertility is not great having had two ivf children and only ever been naturally pregnant twice, with miscarriages. I feel like I maybe fit here more than I would in a younger conception group. Also it’s nice to be around those trying for a 3rd. Happy to go though if the age thing is a problem.

Tested this morning as temp was still high and BFN I reckon it will probably drop tomorrow and AF will come. Ah well!

I am thrilled you want to be here. There's no limit on age older or younger, we are all striving for the same thing after all!

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BurningOutt · 20/02/2026 09:22

@sirensong I get that I’m a bit younger at 39 but still trying for dc3 at an older age. I’ve not had the easiest fertility journey either as I’ve had multiple miscarriages. I did comment on a few other threads and just tumbleweed but I’m happy to start a new one if this is better for over 40s.

Im only cd3 today and still on my period so just taking my supplements and waiting!

Original poster
FiB83 · 20/02/2026 09:51

BurningOutt · 20/02/2026 09:22

@sirensong I get that I’m a bit younger at 39 but still trying for dc3 at an older age. I’ve not had the easiest fertility journey either as I’ve had multiple miscarriages. I did comment on a few other threads and just tumbleweed but I’m happy to start a new one if this is better for over 40s.

Im only cd3 today and still on my period so just taking my supplements and waiting!

Who is anyone to say we have to have different threads though? I started this one hoping to find someone who is also TTC. If you're older or younger that is fine. I'm sure there are already over 40s threads out there but I'm a dinosaur when it comes to technology and so decided if I do my own I can at least keep up with it haha!

Anyways, symptoms today... My boobs still feel too big. I caved and bought a test late last night but it's not an early detection test and no surprise it's bfn. At least I've cured my addiction to poas for a while 🫣

I'm 11dpo tomorrow and have got some frer tests arriving today. Anyone else testing?

OP posts:
clementmarot · 20/02/2026 11:29

Just dropping in to say that I had my third at 41/42 he was born a couple of weeks after my 42nd birthday with a very similar gap. Our older boys were 7 and 9 when he was born. His was the best pregnancy by far and he is a total delight. (He's three now.) Good luck!

clementmarot · 20/02/2026 11:29

oh weird deleted bit sorry about that

clementmarot · 20/02/2026 11:31

The earliest faint positive I ever had was at 12dpo by the way.

BurningOutt · 20/02/2026 12:49

Congrats @clementmarot - the kind of positive story we like to hear!

Ive always had positives at 10dpo but usually really faint. Would love to have the willpower to hold out longer! @FiB83 11dpo is worth testing I agree - good luck!

Im doing superovulation this cycle (taking Letrozole to stimulate few extra follicles, then trigger shot to induce ovulation) to boost my chances. Have the follicle scan next Friday and then will have to dtd like mad. In the meantime just trying to keep away from the sugar etc. Work is really awful for me atm - lots of late nights - hopefully won’t affect things.

Original poster
FiB83 · 20/02/2026 12:56

I'm starting to look at fertility treatments etc. it's such a minefield! I think we need to start with some blood tests just to see where we are at. I'll post my test that I did this morning just for reference. I hope I get a bfp tomorrow

TTC number 3 aged 42
OP posts:
Original poster
FiB83 · 20/02/2026 12:59

clementmarot · 20/02/2026 11:29

Just dropping in to say that I had my third at 41/42 he was born a couple of weeks after my 42nd birthday with a very similar gap. Our older boys were 7 and 9 when he was born. His was the best pregnancy by far and he is a total delight. (He's three now.) Good luck!

This is so positive thank you for sharing!

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FlapJackered · 20/02/2026 16:39

Has anyone tried soy isoflavones? One of the times I naturally got pregnant (but miscarried) was taking it. It seems that pregnancies quite often end in miscarriage with it though which puts me off trying it again.

FlapJackered · 20/02/2026 16:40

FiB83 · 20/02/2026 12:56

I'm starting to look at fertility treatments etc. it's such a minefield! I think we need to start with some blood tests just to see where we are at. I'll post my test that I did this morning just for reference. I hope I get a bfp tomorrow

Fingers crossed for tomorrow!

Original poster
FiB83 · 20/02/2026 22:05

FlapJackered · 20/02/2026 16:39

Has anyone tried soy isoflavones? One of the times I naturally got pregnant (but miscarried) was taking it. It seems that pregnancies quite often end in miscarriage with it though which puts me off trying it again.

I've never heard of this..might be worth a shot though. My frer has arrived so I'll do a test in the morning!

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Original poster
FiB83 · 20/02/2026 22:06

I'm weirdly very nervous about tomorrow, I feel like if it's bfn then I'm out another month

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FlapJackered · 21/02/2026 08:55

How are you @FiB83- did you test in the end? Still no AF for me but definitely feels imminent.

Original poster
FiB83 · 21/02/2026 10:03

FlapJackered · 21/02/2026 08:55

How are you @FiB83- did you test in the end? Still no AF for me but definitely feels imminent.

Yeh I did test and it's bfn. I'm quite sad as I feel this means I'm out this month. I've got more tests so will retest if AF doesn't arrive by 14dpo mainly because I don't actually know for certain when I ovulated but I think I'm pretty certain. Have you tested?

TTC number 3 aged 42
OP posts:
FlapJackered · 21/02/2026 10:08

I’m sorry. It’s so rubbish seeing a bfn. I haven’t tested today as I feel like although it’s possible to get a negative at 12dpo and go on to get a positive it’s pretty rare with a frer and I have always had a very strong line by 12dpo. If AF hasn't arrived by tomorrow morning I will test again but I think it’s probably on its way.

Original poster
FiB83 · 21/02/2026 11:08

FlapJackered · 21/02/2026 10:08

I’m sorry. It’s so rubbish seeing a bfn. I haven’t tested today as I feel like although it’s possible to get a negative at 12dpo and go on to get a positive it’s pretty rare with a frer and I have always had a very strong line by 12dpo. If AF hasn't arrived by tomorrow morning I will test again but I think it’s probably on its way.

Im sorry, it seems we are in the same boat. Have you had fertility treatment this time? How did you find IVF and do you have it done here? I have been looking at options abroad as it seems cheaper

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FlapJackered · 21/02/2026 13:17

I wrote a long rambling reply and it vanished. 🤦‍♀️ Probably a good thing! 😆

No this time it was just natural. I had a frozen embryo transfer in December which failed. I have two more embryos frozen but I just want to get myself a bit healthier before we try again with that as I don’t think we will do a full round again. So I will probably try naturally until June time, then try again with the frozen embryo.

We did ivf with BCRM as we are based in the south west and it was around £6k with meds so not too bad. It can vary so much though, my sister had ivf with ARGC in London and it cost £20k+ but they do have higher success rates and it’s like ivf boot camp. Full on.
I found the ivf process ok actually. I think the mental side is the hardest and it’s the gamble that can feel like you’re just throwing money into the wind.
have you had your AMH - ovarian reserve tested? As that can maybe give you an idea of how you might response in ivf.

sirensong · 21/02/2026 13:53

@FiB83 I did it your age at King's in London - similar price to above for a single round (though I did a cheaper 3 cycle package). Genetically tested embryos are banked but I haven't yet started transferring them. Uterus doesn't age in the same way as ovaries so there's less of a time crunch re that aspect.

BurningOutt · 21/02/2026 21:11

Sorry about the bfn @FiB83 which cycle is this for you?
And for you too @FlapJackered.

I did park run today in the hope it would be good for me but I was so slow it was depressing! And then had large bowl of pasta for dinner when I’ve been trying to cut carbs.

This is CD4 for me so not much going on still.

Original poster
FiB83 · 21/02/2026 23:13

FlapJackered · 21/02/2026 13:17

I wrote a long rambling reply and it vanished. 🤦‍♀️ Probably a good thing! 😆

No this time it was just natural. I had a frozen embryo transfer in December which failed. I have two more embryos frozen but I just want to get myself a bit healthier before we try again with that as I don’t think we will do a full round again. So I will probably try naturally until June time, then try again with the frozen embryo.

We did ivf with BCRM as we are based in the south west and it was around £6k with meds so not too bad. It can vary so much though, my sister had ivf with ARGC in London and it cost £20k+ but they do have higher success rates and it’s like ivf boot camp. Full on.
I found the ivf process ok actually. I think the mental side is the hardest and it’s the gamble that can feel like you’re just throwing money into the wind.
have you had your AMH - ovarian reserve tested? As that can maybe give you an idea of how you might response in ivf.

No I haven't had any testing at all..when I was 31 I had a test with GP and she told me then I was peri menopausal.... That might've been amh but I got pregnant naturally the next month and then again with my youngest so I kinda decided she was talking rubbish. Lol

I think I'll have some.private tests done before deciding anything else.

OP posts:
Original poster
FiB83 · 21/02/2026 23:16

sirensong · 21/02/2026 13:53

@FiB83 I did it your age at King's in London - similar price to above for a single round (though I did a cheaper 3 cycle package). Genetically tested embryos are banked but I haven't yet started transferring them. Uterus doesn't age in the same way as ovaries so there's less of a time crunch re that aspect.

Edited

Ok that's good to know! Did it work for you? I hope you don't mind me asking. I only recently decided I would consider IVF as when hubby first said he wanted another baby I thought I probably wouldn't go to any lengths but was against It.either..now I'm thinking why not... You only live once and children are amazing

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FlapJackered · 22/02/2026 06:53

That’s really interesting! Yes so I reckon FSH and AMH are what they normally start off with at the clinics along with generally full bloods and thyroid.

urgh period still hasn’t arrived at 14dpo which is really unusual for me so I have no idea what’s going on. Temp is still really high but another bfn on a frer so I am definitely not pregnant. I just want to move on now!

FlapJackered · 22/02/2026 06:58

BurningOutt · 21/02/2026 21:11

Sorry about the bfn @FiB83 which cycle is this for you?
And for you too @FlapJackered.

I did park run today in the hope it would be good for me but I was so slow it was depressing! And then had large bowl of pasta for dinner when I’ve been trying to cut carbs.

This is CD4 for me so not much going on still.

It’s only the second cycle for us trying naturally. How about you? Is this your first cycle doing superovulation?
it’s so hard to follow a perfect diet and I am sure it doesn’t make a lot of difference to the outcome in reality so don’t beat yourself up.

BurningOutt · 22/02/2026 07:15

@FlapJackered yes…I had all of 2025 off ttc after a bad mc. I don’t have any issues getting pregnant but I have an autoimmune condition which means I need to time medication precisely from ovulation, so the superovulation helps with that.

It’s awful when you’re out and AF doesn’t arrive…Hope it hurries up for you!